BLADDER & BOWEL DYSFUNCTION

Issues with urinating or passing stools are referred to as bladder and bowel dysfunction. Bladder and bowel problems often originate with nerve or muscle dysfunction, as these systems control the flow of urine and the release of stool. Other health issues may cause bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, including medicinal side effects, stress, neurologic diseases, diabetes, hemorrhoids and pelvic floor disorders. Therapy and management for these conditions can range from dietary changes and exercise to electrical stimulation and surgery depending on individual diagnosis.

Here are some common complaints we see:

• Urinary Urge Incontinence – Urge incontinence is not being able to control holding on to your urine when you get the urge to empty your bladder.
• Urinary Stress Incontinence – Stress incontinence is when your bladder is put under pressure quickly with a cough, sneeze, laugh, jump or run and you leak urine.  You can leak either a small or a large amount.
• Overactive Bladder – This is when you go to the toilet too frequently and don’t hold a large volume of urine.
• Painful Bladder Syndrome – This is when you experience pain in your bladder which is relieved by emptying your bladder.
• Bowel Dysfunction – Faecal Incontinence is a lack of control of your bowel movements to a small or large extent.  Constipation is a common cause of pelvic floor dysfunction causing urinary and pain symptoms.  We work with dieticians with a BSc in Human Nutrition & Dietetics.   We advise about defecation dynamics and advise you about how to relax your pelvic floor.

How Physiotherapist Can Help?

In our clinic we have extensive experience of dealing with these problems. Our physiotherapist can deal with a range of issues, from addressing breathing patterns to deal with stress to working with clients to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. There are various treatments and approaches within a range of areas:

• Physiotherapy can help you work on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. This can include teaching pelvic floor exercises, using electrical stimulation or biofeedback for very weak muscles. 
• During a course of physiotherapy, a regular exercise programme can be worked out with you. This can also help with easing constipation associated with IBS.
• IBS can be a very stressful condition and sufferers can become very anxious about symptoms and how to cope with everyday situations like work or travel. Anxiety can tense up muscles which can aggravate the symptoms even more.
• Our chartered physiotherapist can teach specific relaxation techniques to deal with these situations. This may include breathing or calming strategies.
• Our physiotherapist can help you deal with your bladder or bowel problem by working with you in addressing your symptoms through tailored programmes.