Incontinence & How PT Can Help

by Kristen Murphy, DPT

Bladder leaks (aka incontinence) is a condition in which you lose urine beyond your control.  There are two primary types of incontinence: stress and urge.  Stress incontinence is typically what we think of as peeing with cough/sneeze or exercise and is related to a weakness of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM).  Urge incontinence is when we leak when we have a strong urge to empty the bladder and we aren’t able to get there in time. 

Physical therapy is a great way to treat incontinence no matter what type you may have.  With stress type you will likely be working on coordination and strengthening of the PFM.  There are 3 layers in the pelvic floor (each with different functions) but getting the squeeze muscles to activate and strengthen can be very helpful in stopping these leaks.  

When it comes to urgency there might also be weakness to address or there might be tension in the muscles creating the sensation of urgency.  This tension will need to be relaxed with techniques like belly breathing or stretching to the PFM and hips.  Oftentimes once the tight muscles relax they will need to strengthen just like with stress incontinence.   Urgency can also be a learned behavior, like when you always feel like you have to pee when you pull into your driveway or put your key in the front door.  This will take some training to work on stopping the urge with small/quick contractions of the PFM or some deep breaths to allow yourself to get past the sensation and calmly make it to the restroom.  You have to take control back from the bladder! 

Incontinence can be common in any gender for a number of reasons but should not be a normal part of life.  Seek out a physical therapist to teach you more about your body and how to manage your unique symptoms.  You can learn to stop the bladder leaks and also how to prevent them from coming back in the future. 

-Kristen Murphy, DPT

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

August 2, 2022