Pelvic Health Program
The pelvic region is one area of the body often overlooked in society. Urinary and fecal incontinence often result in feelings of isolation and may limit one’s ability to enjoy life. Pelvic pain can often result in sexual dysfunction. Many people are embarrassed to discuss issues of the pelvic region with their physicians and other caregivers and subsequently do not seek help for their condition. Contrary to popular belief, there is help for these conditions.
How to Get Started
The Pelvic Health program employs physical therapists specially trained to treat female and male patients with bladder/bowel incontinence, pelvic pain, and other dysfunctions of the pelvic region. Using the latest technology available and working closely with your physician, your therapist will first evaluate the anatomy and functioning of your pelvic region, then develop an individualized, goal-oriented treatment plan, providing expert instruction in techniques specifically designed to target your specific needs. The ultimate goal of all the treatment programs at Eisenhower Health is the restoration of normal pain free function. Stop by our location in the Dolores Hope Building or call to learn more about our programs.
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Conditions We Treat
Urinary Incontinence
More than 13 million people in the United States are estimated to suffer from urinary incontinence, including one in 10 over 65 years old. Urinary incontinence is twice as likely in women as in men. It is estimated that one in four women between the ages of 30 and 59 have experienced urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the passage of urine. Severity ranges from slight leakage to the complete inability to hold any urine. There are two basic types of incontinence. The first, stress incontinence, is the inability to control urine during certain activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise. The second, urge incontinence, involves a strong sudden need to urinate followed by a muscle contraction and emptying of the bladder.
The ability to hold urine is dependent on one's anatomy, urinary tract health, muscular system of control, psychological well-being and physical abilities to respond appropriately to the need to urinate. Any one or more of these systems, working incorrectly, can cause one to become incontinent. The goals of a urinary incontinence program include improving one's ability to recognize and control the flow of urine through awareness of and strengthening of the urinary tract musculature and to improve the ability to turn on and turn off the urine stream, thus controlling when urination occurs.
Fecal Incontinence
More than five million people in the United States are estimated to suffer from fecal incontinence, being more common in women and the elderly.
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements resulting in leakage from the rectum, ranging from minimal to full loss of bowel control. The ability to maintain continence is dependent on multiple layers of muscles as well as the ability to sense stool in the rectum. Many conditions can contribute to fecal incontinence including dietary factors, loss of optimal nerve function, muscular weakness, damage to the sphincter muscles as well as trauma from surgical or other medical procedures.
The goals of a fecal incontinence program include improving one’s ability to recognize and control the defecation process through awareness of and strengthening of the pelvic floor musculature as well as changes in dietary habits to facilitate normal bowel function.
Pelvic Pain
As in any area of the body, pelvic pain can be the result of musculoskeletal conditions arising from dysfunctions in pelvic alignment, muscles, nerves, ligaments and other structures of the pelvic region. Affecting both males and females, musculoskeletal pain in the pelvic region, as in any other area of the body, is treatable. One does not have to endure pain during activities of daily living.
Pelvic pain in males includes pain and discomfort in the penis, testicles, perineum or rectum. Additionally, pain may occur following urination or ejaculation and may be associated with bowel movements. Many times, pain is accompanied by erectile dysfunction as well as the avoidance of sexual and other activities of daily living.
Pelvic pain in females includes pain and discomfort in the vagina, perineum, rectum and surrounding tissues including painful intercourse, lymphatic congestion, and inflammation of the bladder, post urination pain and pain from constipation.
The goals of a pelvic pain program are the identification of muscular weakness, imbalance or dysfunction as well as changes in bony structures including the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints and pelvic alignments. Also included is the identification of inflammatory structures, trigger points and other soft tissue dysfunctions.