An Eight Week Multidisciplinary Program for Women of All Ages Who Leak Urine
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a set of muscles that spread across the bottom of the pelvic cavity like a hammock or basket of muscles. The pelvic floor has three openings that run through it, the urethra, the vagina, and the rectum. The functions of the pelvic floor include:
- Supporting pelvic organs, specifically the uterus, bladder, and rectum.
- Assist in sphincter control for the bladder and bowel function.
- Withstand increases in pressure that occur in the abdomen, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, straining, and lifting so as to prevent leakage of urine or stool during these activities.
- Enhance the sexual response.
- Steady the hips, lumbar spine, sacrum and the pelvis.
What are the Consequences of a Weak Pelvic Floor?
When a woman ages or after childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles may begin to sag and weaken as a result of stress placed on them. Many conditions can stress the pelvic floor including:
- Pregnancy & childbirth
- Chronic constipation
- Repetitive straining due to heavy lifting, coughing
- Weakened pelvic floor muscles over time can lead to pelvic organ prolapse, or the falling of a uterus, bladder or rectun into the vaginal canal
- The most common symptoms of a weak pelvic floor are involuntary leakage of urine or stool (urinary and fecal incontinence)
Pelvic Rehab E-stim 8 week Treatment Program Includes
Pelvic floor strength training for incontinence and prolapse: daily, short exercises are recommended throughout 8 week program
Biofeedback for urgency and dysfunctional voiding is conducted
Gentle and painless muscle electrical stimulation is conducted through a small vaginal probe to assist in muscle re-education and strengthening. By using the e-stimulation it helps our nerves and muscles respond to therapy quicker.
Bladder training for urgency and overactive bladder
Vaginal estrogen therapy & medication management for appropriate candidates
Dietary modification to avoid bladder irritants
Resources for weight loss to alleviate incontinence
Baby in the Bedroom is a version of pelvic rehab program that provides specific materials for new mom to improve their pelvic floor and intimate life
Understanding Pelvic Floor Exercise Therapy
Pelvic rehab E-stim is administered by Dr. Serena who is a physician, not a pelvic floor physical therapist. Estim is a program that uses a computer recorder that monitors the strength of your pelvic muscles and your progress throughout the therapy. This computerized technology allows you to immediately see the results as you contract and relax the correct group of muscles according to a preset pattern of exercises. Think of this as your personal trainer while you “do a circuit” of exercises just as they do for other muscles in the fitness centers. The Estim program is a complementary therapy to pelvic floor physical therapy. Women who have high tone pelvic tightness in their pelvic floor should not undergo UroStym treatment, as this is designed for women with low tone pelvic floor weakness only.
