Tired of Worrying About Bladder Leaks?
Individualized Pelvic Floor Therapy for Urinary Incontinence
A laugh, cough, workout, or sudden urge to use the bathroom should not leave you worrying about an accident. If you are experiencing bladder leakage in Princeton, NJ, physical therapy can help you better understand what’s contributing to your symptoms and develop strategies to improve bladder control. At Seva Orthopedic Physical Therapy, your care is private and personalized, with one-on-one sessions focused on helping you move through daily life with greater confidence.
What Is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. While it is a common complaint, bladder leakage should not automatically be accepted as something you have to live with.
The pelvic floor muscles play an important role in supporting the bladder and controlling urination. Symptoms can occur when these muscles have difficulty generating appropriate strength, relaxing when needed, or coordinating with the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. Other factors, including bladder habits, changes in physical activity, and pressure placed on the pelvic floor, may also contribute.
Different patterns of urinary incontinence include:
- Stress urinary incontinence: Leakage occurs when pressure increases in the abdomen, such as when coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, running, or lifting.
- Urge urinary incontinence: A sudden, difficult-to-control urge to urinate is followed by involuntary leakage.
- Mixed urinary incontinence: Symptoms include characteristics of both stress and urge incontinence.
- Overflow incontinence: The bladder does not empty completely, resulting in frequent or ongoing leakage. This type may require medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause.
Identifying your specific symptoms and contributing factors helps your physical therapist determine whether pelvic floor rehabilitation is appropriate for you.
How Can Physical Therapy Help You Regain Bladder Control?
At Seva Orthopedic Physical Therapy, treatment starts by listening to your concerns and evaluating factors that may be affecting bladder function. Your physical therapist may assess posture, movement, breathing, strength, mobility, and coordination of the muscles surrounding your pelvis and trunk.
Based on your findings, treatment may include external techniques such as:
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises: Your therapist can teach you how to correctly engage, relax, and coordinate these muscles, rather than relying on repetitive exercises that may not address your specific needs.
- Bladder retraining: Gradual strategies can help improve bladder habits and increase the time between bathroom visits when appropriate.
- Breathing and pressure management: Learning to coordinate breathing with your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles may improve control when coughing, lifting, exercising, and during other activities that increase abdominal pressure.
- Movement retraining: Your therapist can help you adjust movements that trigger leakage, then gradually build your ability to perform them with improved control.
- Bladder habit education: Guidance on bathroom habits, fluid intake, and common bladder irritants can help you make practical changes that support your treatment goals.
Throughout your program, you’ll work directly with your physical therapist during one-on-one sessions in a private treatment room at our Princeton, NJ clinic. Seva Orthopedic Physical Therapy also provides in-network pelvic floor physical therapy, making specialized treatment more accessible for patients seeking help with urinary incontinence.
Stop Planning Your Day Around the Nearest Bathroom
Whether bladder leakage happens during a workout or an urgent trip to the restroom, the right treatment plan can help you work toward better control and greater confidence. Contact Seva Orthopedic Physical Therapy today to schedule your pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation and begin addressing urinary incontinence.
Urinary Incontinence FAQs
Is urinary leakage a normal part of getting older?
Urinary incontinence becomes more common with age, but that does not mean you have to accept it as inevitable. Our pelvic floor physical therapist can evaluate factors such as pelvic floor muscle function, strength, movement, and bladder habits to determine whether rehabilitation may help.
Do Kegel exercises always help urinary incontinence?
Not necessarily. Kegel exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor, but bladder leakage can involve more than pelvic floor weakness. Some people may have difficulty relaxing or coordinating these muscles, which is why an individualized evaluation is important before beginning a pelvic floor exercise program.
Should I stop exercising if workouts cause bladder leakage?
In many cases, you do not need to give up the activities you enjoy. We can assess which movements trigger symptoms and help you improve strength, coordination, breathing, and pressure management. Treatment can then progress toward the demands of your preferred activities.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!