Pelvic Floor and Incontinence Services
In addition to physical, occupational and speech therapy, Riverview Rehab & Fitness now offers an additional physical therapy service – Pelvic Floor and Incontinence Services for women and men.
Pelvic floor (pelvic support) disorders involve weakness of or injury to the ligaments, connective tissue, and muscles of the pelvis and result in bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction. Some common causes of a weakened pelvic floor include vaginal childbirth, obesity, chronic constipation, constant coughing or undergoing a surgical procedure that requires a cutting of muscles. In many cases, the cause of the symptoms may be unknown.
Many people suffer in silence with pelvic floor disorders and are unsure where to turn. With a referral from a primary care physician and based on diagnosis, Riverview’s Rehab & Fitness Pelvic Floor and Incontinence Rehabilitation specialist, Jamie Smith, uses techniques such as Kegel exercises with the use of biofeedback, core strengthening, biofeedback for relaxation training, electrical stimulation to decrease pain, ultrasound to decrease scarring and increase tissue pliability and education in proper habits for bladder control to help patients meet their individual goals.
In addition, Riverview Rehab & Fitness offers assistance to those with Lymphedema – the accumulation of tissue fluid in interstitial spaces, mainly subcutaneous tissues (beneath the skin). Lymphedema treatment consists of manual lymphatic drainage – a type of massage designed to gently move fluid out of the arm or leg – as well as compression bandaging and fitting with compression garments.
Services
Riverview Rehab & Fitness’ Pelvic Floor and Incontinence Services offers services related to:
• Bowel and bladder incontinence
• Urinary frequency
• Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
• Interstitial Cystis (painful inflammation of connective tissue)
• Vulvar Vestibulitis (inflammation of the vulva)
• Pelvic Pain
• Prolapse
Symptoms
The symptoms below are indicators of a pelvic floor disorder. If you have one or more of the symptoms, contact your primary care physician.
• Strong, sudden urges to go to the bathroom
• Making frequent trips to the bathroom
• Leaking small amounts of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or running
• Backache or abdominal pressure
• Reduced sensation in the vagina
• Pain with intercourse or tampon use