How Physiotherapy And Pilates Can Help With Incontinence

According to the Continence Foundation of Australia, more than 6 million Australians have problems with bladder or bowel control—that’s anything from just a small leak to complete loss of control.

Urinary incontinence, they go on to say, is a common condition associated with pregnancy, childbirth, menopause or a range of chronic conditions. There are two types of urinary incontinence, stress and urge. Stress incontinence is when urine leaks at inconvenient times, like when laughing, sneezing or coughing. Urge incontinence is where, despite having only recently been to the toilet, you have an intense urge to go again.

It is a condition that affects up to 13% of Australian men and 37% of Australian women. The two main causes of stress incontinence are pregnancy and menopause, something backed-up by research that shows women aged between 30 and 60 are 7 times more likely to suffer from it than their male counterparts.

Sadly, research also shows that 70% of people with mild urinary leakage do not seek treatment—yet there are plenty of ways it can be helped. Strengthening the pelvic floor—a core focus of Pilates—has been shown to help with bladder control. And physiotherapists can help identify blockages or issues in the rest of the body that may be contributing to the problem.

When you visit a physiotherapist at Northern Districts Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic, the first thing they’ll do is evaluate the body as a whole and see if there are any dysfunctions or imbalances. They’ll devote special attention to regions of the pelvis, lumbar spine, pelvic floor, uterus and bladder that might be causing restriction or tightness.

If you’re suffering from incontinence and need an immediate solution, call NDPE on 02 9874 8410