Don’t Make Me Laugh! – Until I’ve Seen My Pelvic Floor Physio
Embarrassed to feel a little leak every time you laugh or try to exercise? Maybe you’re constantly trying to locate the toilet in case you need to go at the drop of a hat?
Ahh yes, we’re going there today. DOWN there to be exact.
We’re talking peeing your pants, to be blunt; or urinary incontinence if you want to be technical about it.
According to the Continence Foundation of Australia website, an estimated 37% of women are affected by incontinence and yet 70% won’t even try to get help.
Just because something is common, doesn’t mean a) it’s normal, and b) we have to put up with it!!
It’s all got to do with our pelvic floor muscles and whether they’re strong enough to control the flow.
What are the pelvic floor muscles? Do you know that feeling of stopping your pee mid-stream? Those are your pelvic muscles. They sit like a sling at the bottom of your pelvis and hold your reproductive organs in place.
There are a few contributing factors that can alter the tone and cause weakness of your pelvic floor:
- Childbirth
- Post-surgery
- Constipation
- Heavy lifting
- Excessive chronic coughing
Most people don’t know that seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist (and we have a great one!) can help. A lot. In some cases, urinary incontinence can be totally curable with the right treatment.
You may be wondering what exactly goes on in a pelvic floor exam. While oddly we had no volunteers to show a live demonstration to the air to the entire Internet (I wonder why?), we’ve outlined below what happens to help put you at ease so you can mentally prepare for your visit.
Alisha, who is our pelvic floor physiotherapist, will take your detailed history; no matter how long it may be, she wants to know!
Then things get a little personal. But don’t worry; there are towels and curtains to keep you comfortable. This involves:
- Observation of your muscle tone
- Checking how well you can actually activate those pelvic floor muscles with and without coughing
- Measurement of your pelvic floor strength
- Assessing the position of the pelvic organs to make sure everything is in place
- A bladder diary to know how frequently your symptoms are occurring and why
Alisha will then teach you all the wonderful ways to get those pelvic floor muscles back in business.
Since childbirth is one of the main causes, you might be happy to hear that you can prevent incontinence by coming in before you get pregnant or even while you’re pregnant. Given birth already? We’re able to assess your pelvic floor as early as 6 weeks postpartum.
Are you still not convinced? Don’t let yourself be part of the statistic! If you’d like a free and confidential discussion with Alisha, then call us at Central City Health Professionals. She will be happy to return your call to answer your questions.