Case Review: Pelvic Physical Therapy for Urinary Incontinence
Innova Physical Therapy provides pelvic therapy services for patients in the Glens Falls, Queensbury, Saratoga Springs NY area. In May of 2015, I was working toward a Certificate in Pelvic Physical Therapy from the American Physical Therapy Association (which I passed…yay!). I submitted a case reflection on a past patient of mine. It was titled “Pelvic Physical therapy for Urinary Incontinence Following Prostatectomy: An Evidence Based Case Report”. Presented here:
Pelvic Physical therapy for Urinary Incontinence Following Prostatectomy: An Evidence Based Case Report
Though there are many types of treatment options for men with prostate cancer, urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunction often occur regardless of the choice of treatment. Did you know that two years after a prostatectomy as many as 34% of men may continue to complain of urinary incontinence? 1 Pelvic floor physical therapy is one of the most common conservative treatment options after a prostatectomy. Studies show behavioral training, manual therapy, pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and hip exercises all assist in decreasing UI. 2,3,4,5,6
This current male patient had great results during his PT treatments. He was given a specific home program for pelvic floor exercises, based on his strength and coordination of movement. He also learned core and hip strengthening exercises, recommendations for his fluid intake, and relaxation and stretching education. This patient was pleased to stop using incontinence pads after only 4 PT sessions and was back to playing golf and going out to eat with his wife without worrying about his bladder! What is interesting is that his surgeon had instructed him to complete Kegel exercises, though these didn’t help him. The exercises actually caused him to become constipated! With a full musculoskeletal exam by a PT specialized in pelvic floor dysfunction, he was able to receive an individualized home program. Did this include Kegels? Yes, but having proper instruction on how and how much made a tremendous difference on his healing.
For more information on treating pelvic physical therapy for urinary incontinence for Glens Falls, Queensbury or Saratoga Springs, or individualized treatment for your pelvic dysfunction, call me today at (518) 632-4944 or contact me online. My initial appointments are 1 ½ hours for the purpose of having time to listen to your story, completing a full exam, and educating you on exactly what you need.
1. Wilt T, MacDonald R, Rutks I, Systematic review: Comparative effectiveness and harms of treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148(6):435-448. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-148-6-200803180-00209.
2. Jordre B, Schweinle, W. Comparing resisted hip rotation with pelvic floor muscle training in women with stress urinary incontinence: A pilot study. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy. 2014; 38(2): 81–89.
3. Ghaderi F, Oskouei A. Physiotherapy for women with stress urinary incontinence: A review article. J Phys Ther Sci. 2014 Sep; 26(9): 1493–1499. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.1493.
4. Neumann P, Grimmer, K, Deenadayalan Y. Pelvic floor muscle training and adjunctive therapies for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review. BMC Womens Health. 2006; 6: 11. doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-6-11.
5. Cameron A, Haraway, A. The treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: an evidenced-based review. Open Access J Urol. 2011; 3: 109–120. doi: 10.2147/OAJU.S10541.
6. Castro, R, Arruda R, Zanetti M, et al. Single blind, randomized, controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle training, electrical stim, vaginal cones, and no active treatment in the management of stress urinary incontinence. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2008 Aug; 63(4): 465–472. doi: 10.1590/S1807-59322008000400009.
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