You Don't Have to Live With Urinary Leakage: 5 Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy
Urinary incontinence is incredibly common, but that doesn’t mean it’s not embarrassing. Feeling a leak when you cough or sneeze can make you want to withdraw from your favorite activities, and it has the power to seriously impact your self-confidence and your quality of life.
The good news? Pelvic floor therapy could help. Urinary incontinence is often linked to a weak pelvic floor — the muscles and tissues that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum — and pelvic floor therapy offers an effective, noninvasive treatment to strengthen these muscles and help you regain control.
Our team at Advanced Urology specializes in incontinence treatment and female urology, and we’re here to help you find care that fits your needs. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of pelvic floor therapy.
What is pelvic floor therapy?
Urinary incontinence is common when pelvic floor muscles get weak or damaged. Pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy designed to improve the strength, coordination, and endurance of your pelvic floor muscles. It typically involves targeted exercises like Kegels, biofeedback, and manual techniques performed under the guidance of a trained therapist.
Your therapist develops a personalized treatment plan for you, with most plans involving a series of in-office sessions and at-home exercises. The goal of pelvic floor therapy is to rebuild muscle strength, alleviate symptoms like incontinence, and enhance your overall pelvic health.
The benefits of pelvic floor therapy
Pelvic floor therapy targets the muscles supporting your bladder, uterus, and rectum, and it offers a few big benefits when it comes to treating pelvic floor dysfunction.
1. Better bladder control
One of the primary goals of pelvic floor therapy is to restore bladder control. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles helps prevent urinary leakage during daily activities, including coughing, sneezing, and laughing. With better bladder control, you can regain confidence and enjoy life without worrying about accidents.
2. Reduced need for invasive treatments
Pelvic floor therapy is a noninvasive treatment that addresses the root cause of incontinence through targeted exercises. It can improve or even eliminate urinary incontinence due to weak pelvic floor muscles, helping you avoid medications, surgical procedures, or other interventions.
3. A stronger core
Your pelvic floor is a key component of your core, and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles improves overall core stability. That means pelvic floor therapy can help reduce back pain and improve your posture, so you’re more comfortable going about your daily activities.
4. Enhanced sexual health
A strong pelvic floor doesn’t just benefit bladder control — it also improves sexual function. For women, this can mean increased sensation and reduced discomfort during intimacy. For men, pelvic floor therapy can address issues like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
5. Improved quality of life
Urinary incontinence can be embarrassing and isolating, making you miss out on your favorite activities for fear of leaking or not making it to the bathroom in time. Pelvic floor therapy empowers you to take control of your symptoms, and completing therapy can offer boosted self-esteem, reduced stress, and a better quality of life.
Urinary leakage doesn’t have to control you. Pelvic floor therapy offers a safe, effective way to strengthen your pelvic muscles and address the underlying causes of incontinence. Whether you’re experiencing mild symptoms or significant bladder control issues, it could help you regain comfort and confidence.
Find out more about your incontinence treatment options with an appointment at Advanced Urology in Culver City, Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, and San Pedro, California. Call us at 310-670-9119 or schedule online and take the first step toward living leak-free.