How Women's Physiotherapy Can Support your Bladder and Bowel

Been struggling with incontinence after giving birth?

Pelvic floor physio is an effective, proven way to manage and treat bladder and bowel issues. It focuses on strengthening and improving the coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. These are the key muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and in women, the uterus. 

When these muscles are weak, overactive or not working in sync, problems like urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence and constipation can arise. 

What is Pelvic Floor Physio for Incontinence?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy involves a thorough assessment by one of our physiotherapists. We check the strength, tone, endurance and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles. Based on what we find, we develop a personalised treatment plan to target the specific type of incontinence or difficulties you’re experiencing.

How it Helps with Bladder Health

Urinary incontinence affects people of all ages, but it’s especially common after childbirth, the menopause or prostate surgery. 

Pelvic floor physio for incontinence includes exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control urine flow. When done correctly and regularly, these exercises can reduce or even eliminate leaks that happen during coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising.

Physiotherapy can also help manage urge incontinence (when you feel a sudden, strong need to urinate). Techniques such as bladder retraining, timed voiding and urge suppression strategies are often used alongside muscle training.

Supporting Bowel Function

Pelvic floor dysfunction can also impact our ability to control our bowels. Some people struggle with constipation, others with accidental leakage of stool or gas. 

In these cases, pelvic floor physio focuses on improving the coordination and relaxation of the muscles during bowel movements. Biofeedback and manual therapy are sometimes used to help patients learn how to properly engage or release the pelvic floor.

Our physiotherapists often address your lifestyle, looking at factors like hydration, fibre intake and toileting routines. These changes, combined with retraining muscles, can lead to significant improvements in bowel control.

Book an Appointment this Spring

If you’re struggling with bladder or bowel issues, it’s not something you just have to accept. Our women’s health physiotherapy clinic in London can help. 

If you’re looking for a clinic that offers expert physiotherapy, contact our clinic today.