incontinence.
The Canadian Urinary Bladder Survey in 2003 showed that 21.8% of Canadians aged 18 years or older have bladder problems, thus costing Canadians $1.5 billion per year.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is an option for women experiencing urinary incontinence.
It may be used independently or in conjunction with other therapies such as medical.
A 2010 Cochrane review found evidence that pelvic floor muscle training was more effective than inactive control treatments, placebo drug or no "treatment and recommended pelvic floor physiotherapy be included in a first-line conservative management program for women with stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence.
The Cochrane review further identified evidence of women treated with pelvic floor physiotherapy were more likely to report cure or improvement, report improved quality of life, have fewer leakage episodes per day and have less urine leakage on short pad tests.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy may be effective in curing or reducing the symptoms of urinary incontinence and improving patients' quality of life. If a patient has tried Kegel exercises on their own without success, it is possible she may not be performing the exercise properly.
In addition, there may be some asymmetrical recruitment of the pelvic floor musculature on contraction. Physiotherapy can provide appropriate biofeedback, manual therapy, education, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and exercise to ensure proper activation.
Registered Physiotherapist April Hennessy has undergone post graduate training in pelvic floor re-education and the physiotherapy treatment of urinary incontinence in women.
Thank you for your time and if you have any patients you feel may benefit from pelvic
floor physiotherapy or if you have any questions please contact Personal Best Physiotherapy.
