Comments on: Take Control of Your Bladder

By: Laurie Pearson

Laurie Pearson — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:48:01 +0000

Hi Kelly,
my issue is having to get up 2,3, or 4 times a night to urinate. i am 67 years old an assuming this has to do with my age. I’m not getting a good nights sleep and would love to mend this issue, if possible.

By: Kelly Todd

Kelly Todd — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:40:16 +0000

@Sharon. I would love to help you with this. So the pelvic floor is a group of muscles that go from pelvic bone one one side across to the other pelvic bone (side to side) and from the pubic bone in the front to your tailbone in the back. It is kind of like a sling or a hammock. This muscle group is a source of stability for your internal organs but also helps to keep you continent. This muscle group also has direct connections with your hips, your lower abdominals and your lower back. It is not uncommon to have pelvic pain with chronic lower back problems or pain. Also, from your post, you state that you have had 4 vagnial births which can cause trauma to the pelvic floor. A diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction and levatori ani problems in essence means that there is dysfunction of this muscle group. In your case, it is more than likely very weak (one of the reasons why you are leaking) and probably tight or spasmed in some areas to compensate for the weakness. A poor overall balance of this muscle group can lead to pain. The muscles are not working as they should so they cause you pain. In pelvic floor PT, we work on finding a better balance for this muscle group (the pelvic floor). We work on decreasing the tightness or any spasming then retraining the muscles on what they are supposed to do then getting them stronger so that you are continent and painfree. I hope that this helps to answer your questions. If you have more questions or would like to discuss more, please feel free to email me at womenshealth@athletico.com. Thank you! Kelly Todd, PT, DPT

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:20:26 +0000

I am an RN. I am in a great deal of pain from 7 spine surgeries but as well from vaginal pain. I am diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction and levator ani problems. I have as well long standing problems with stress incontinence. Four vag. births are responsible for this as well as advancing age.
I am not making the connection between phys. therapy and pain relief from my vaginal pain. Maybe you could enlighten me before I spend money to come in for a formal eval. Make the connection clear to me please.

By: gaylehope

gaylehope — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:02:40 +0000

@ Kenneth, physical therapy may be beneficial to help you manage or resolve your symptoms. I have had success in the past treating female patients diagnosed with overactive bladder. Often times there are postural, behavioral/lifestyle, or muscular components(such as muscle spasm or weakness) that can be addressed in physical therapy. We have several therapists in the company that specialize in male pelvic floor dysfunction that would be happy to speak with you regarding your condition. With a prescription from your physician one of these therapists could evaluate you and determine a treatment plan for your specific case. Please let me know if you have any additional questions!

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:55:16 +0000

I am a 55 yr old male, 6′, 175, exercise regularly and visit primary care physician routinely. I have had an overactive bladder for the past 10+ years and have tried prescription medicine with limited results. This is impacting my lifestyle. Do you think your program would help me?