Incontinence
Incontinence is the inability to control excretory functions:
Stress Incontinence is the involuntary escape of urine due to strain such as coughing, sneezing, running, lifting, etc.
Urge Incontinence is the inability to hold back urine when feeling the urge to void. For
example, inability to get the door unlocked quick enough to make it to
the bathroom and/or frequent use of the bathroom at least every two
hours or more.
Mixed Incontinence is a combination of both stress and urge incontinence.
Fecal Incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements.
Other Disorders
Chronic Constipation is generally considered to encompass the infrequent passage of stool,
excessively hard stools, or the inability to evacuate without prolonged
straining.
Pelvic Pain is persistent pain of an unexplained nature in the lower abdominal and pelvic area without
evidence of active disease or pathology that persists six months or
more.
Interstitial Cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder with symptoms of severe frequency and urgency
to urinate, along with pressure above the pelvis.
Treatments Available
Biofeedback reinforces effective exercises by providing objective data
about muscle strength and allowing patients to see muscle activity on a
computer screen.
Therapeutic Exercise - The pelvic floor
muscles are trainable muscles that can be strengthened just like leg or
arm muscles. The therapists will show you specific exercises to help
this area.
Massage - Abdominal Massage and Trigger Point
work may be incorporated into your program for decreasing pain and
helping with constipation.
Education - Specialized
programs are designed incorporating specific exercises, diet
strategies, and bladder retraining to meet individual needs.
Problems can occur at any time.
Knowing what help is available is just one key to maintaining your quality of life.
Our goal is to individually facilitate your control and ability to participate in everyday activities.
A prescription from your physician is necessary to receive Physical Therapy services. Communication with the referring physician
will provide you with an initial evaluation, progress reports
and a discharge summary.
For more information about therapy
for incontinence call:
FTMC's Physical Therapy Department
419-660-2700
800-668-8788 ext. 6435