Urinary Incontinence is a very common issue, impacting one in three Australians.

Bladder leaking can range from a drop to complete loss of control and does not just affect the elderly.
The good news is Bladder Incontinence Physio can help resolve the issue conservatively without any invasive procedures or medication.

There are 3 type of Urinary Incontinence:

1. Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress Urinary Incontinence will occur when urine leaks with pressure on the abdomen and bladder with activity. This can be running, jumping, coughing or sneezing. SUI is often seen during menopause, post-pregnancy and commonly in elite athletes and active women.

2. Urge Urinary Incontinence

Urge Urinary Incontinence is sometimes known as Overactive Bladder. It is a sudden feeling of needing to urinate and does not always occur with a full bladder and may occur with leakage prior to going to the toilet. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction as well as an emotional component like stress and/or anxiety can lead to UUI. Treatment is centred around managing the physical pelvic floor component along with brain training to help regain control of your bladder.

3. Overflow Urinary Incontinence

People suffering with Overflow Urinary Incontinence will have difficulty urinating and emptying their bladder. There urine stream can be small and slow as well as straining to urinate. There can be numerous causes for OUI which can include overactive pelvic floor, prolapse and some medications.

The Assessment Process

Your Physiotherapist will discuss with you your bladder history and symptoms and may ask you to complete a bladder diary over a short period of time. With your consent, your Physiotherapist can conduct an internal assessment which will help to understand your pelvic floor function and the presence of any prolapse. A full body assessment will also help determine any other external factors that may be contributing to your bladder dysfunction.

Physiotherapy Management for Bladder Dysfunction

After confirming your diagnosis, your Physiotherapist will determine the best treatment plan for you. This can include pelvic floor training exercises and techniques. Controlling other external factors like loading techniques.