How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help You Take Control of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is something that many people deal with but might not feel comfortable talking about. It’s when you lose control of your bladder and end up leaking urine, whether it’s just a little or a lot. It can happen during everyday things like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or even just working out. There are different types of incontinence, like stress incontinence (which happens when pressure is put on the bladder), urge incontinence (also known as an overactive bladder), and a mix of both. While it can affect anyone, it’s more common in women—especially after giving birth, during menopause, or simply as we get older. The good news is that treatment, like pelvic floor physical therapy, can help a lot and make a big difference.

Pelvic floor physical therapy works wonders for urinary incontinence by focusing on strengthening the muscles that control bladder function. When these muscles become weak or aren’t working properly, it can cause leaks, especially during things like sneezing or exercising. A physical therapist will help you with exercises, like Kegels, that restore strength and coordination to these muscles. They might also use tools like biofeedback to help you become more aware of how your muscles are working, manual therapy to release tension, and bladder training to help with urgency issues. Over time, pelvic floor therapy can significantly reduce or even stop the unwanted leakage, giving you back your confidence and improving your day-to-day life.

When you go for a pelvic floor physical therapy appointment, it starts with a chat about your health history and symptoms. The therapist will ask questions about your bladder, bowel, and sexual health to understand what’s going on and what you’re hoping to achieve. They’ll also check your posture, core strength, and pelvic alignment. Sometimes, they may do an internal exam to assess the strength and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. Based on all of this, they’ll create a personalized treatment plan that could include strengthening or relaxing exercises, manual therapy, and tips for lifestyle changes to improve pelvic health. Throughout the process, the therapist will work with you, helping you track progress and guiding you through exercises and techniques to feel better.

At Nurture, we have the amazing fortune to have our very own Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Dr. Alex Beaudoin, PT, DPT.  She is passionate about pelvic floor physical therapy and has received specialized training in the field through Herman & Wallace.  She strives to provide a personalized approach to helping you regain the strength and function of your pelvic floor for so you can thrive for years to come!  Reach out to schedule an appointment or a complementary 15-minute phone call with Dr. Alex. 

Alex Beaudoin, PT, DPT (she/her)new mom, pelvic floor, pelvic floor therapy, physical therapy, healing, postpartum, postpartum care, postpartum therapy, pregnancy, childbirth, pelvic pain, peliv organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, diastasis recti, pelvic floor physical therapist, pelvic floor muscles, bladder control, posture, labor and delivery, core muscles, abdominal muscles, pelvic floor weakness, leaking urine