and lots more laughs, leaks,

Does any of this sound familiar; and don’t worry, no one knows you’re reading this:

• I leak urine when I laugh, cough or lift up my child.

• I go to the bathroom before leaving the house, in case I can’t find a bathroom where I’m going.

• I go to the bathroom about every hour.

• I just can’t seem to get to the bathroom fast enough sometimes.

If you are internally shaking your head YES to any of the above statements, you may be suffering from incontinence and it isn’t something you have to live with. Physical Therapy is a natural treatment that is strongly supported by research as helping with these complaints as well as many other issues associated with incontinence.

The label of “incontinence” brings a negative connotation to mind, but incontinence is simply the involuntary leakage of urine. There are many different symptoms and several different types of incontinence that afflict 1 in 4 women over the age of 18. Often it occurs simply from a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which act as a sling for all of your abdominal organs such as your bladder, uterus and intestines. The pelvic floor muscles are also important for structurally supporting your pelvis and core muscles. Normal aging, excessive running or high impact sports, pregnancy, childbirth, chronic constipation or chronic coughing can result in the weakening of these pelvic floor muscles.

Several misconceptions exist about the treatment of incontinence. One is that surgery, medications or adult diapers are the only treatment options. Another is that leaking is a natural part of aging and having children. Yet another is that one is suffering with this condition alone. Often women do not even tell their doctor about incontinence issues until they have dealt with the problem for years. So, before you get your frequent Depends® buyer card or just simply grin and bear your lot in life to deal with this leakage for eternity, there is help.

The same way Physical Therapy helps strengthen a sprained ankle or surgically repaired knee, it rehabilitates your pelvic floor by strengthening and re-educating your muscles to offer support to your bones, ligaments, fascia and abdominal organs. It’s important to find a qualified physical therapist to properly instruct and progress you through your pelvic floor strengthening. There are a variety of treatment methods to help you avoid having to change your lifestyle because of incontinence. Because of varying symptoms and severity of those symptoms, treatment options can include education techniques as well as manual therapy, biofeedback, electric stimulation or vaginal weights. Know that the treatment is far less embarrassing then living with the worry of incontinence occurring during the next joke told or workout at the gym. Many patients experience improvement in just a few weeks and the best part is that it will last for years. You don’t have to just live with incontinence so find treatment and start living.

Brooke Erstad, PT, DPT and Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center are proud to offer their Women’s Health & Pelvic Rehabilitation Program to all men, women, and children with issues relating to the pelvic floor. Brooke has a passion for working with women. Her advanced training in Women’s Health Physical Therapy and expertise in a variety of Incontinence treatment methods allows her to provide a customized treatment plan based on each patients needs. Most insurances will cover treatment, so call Brooke to talk privately about your condition or to set up your free 15 minute consultation to find out if physical therapy is right for your condition.

550 13th Ave E, West Fargo

701.373.0899 brooke@apexptwellness.com www.apexptwellness.com