Women's Program
The physical therapists at Sister Kenny Sports & Physical Therapy Center are
trained to provide specialized care for women. They provide treatment for:
Urinary
incontinence is the inability to control urination. A urinary control problem
can sometimes be temporary, but often it can become a chronic condition that negatively
affects the way you work, play and interact with the people around you.
At least 13 million Americans suffer from various types of urinary incontinence.
Women comprise 85 percent of those with urinary control problems. Incontinence
and other urinary difficulties can affect members of all age groups.
Primary types of urinary incontinence include
- Stress
incontinence is uncontrolled urine loss when the pressure
inside the bladder exceeds the pressure inside the urethra, usually resulting
from coughing, sneezing, or lifting.
- Urge incontinence is uncontrolled urine loss preceded by a strong
urge to urinate.
Treatment
Women with urinary incontinence are often reluctant to discuss it and generally
accept living with it as a life-long problem. However, studies have shown that 80
percent of patients show improvement in bladder control with physical therapy
intervention.
Physical therapists with specialized training have several techniques that can
help women strengthen their pelvic floor and decrease or possibly eliminate their
incontinence.
Physical therapy can help to re-train the pelvic floor muscles in order to use
them properly. Biofeedback and pelvic floor muscle stimulators may also be used.
Although not as common as urinary incontinence, involuntary leakage of feces and
gas is just as uncomfortable and embarrassing to those who experience it. Weak
pelvic floor muscles can contribute to the body's inability to "tighten and
close" the opening to the rectum.
Two factors that contribute to fecal incontinence are chronic constipation (straining
to have a bowel movement weakens the pelvic floor muscles) and trauma to the muscles
during childbirth.
Treatment
The goal is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Treatment options include
general body conditioning and mechanics, abdominal strengthening, nutritional
counseling and relaxation training.
The pelvic floor muscles are located inside the pelvis between the pubic bone
in the front and the tailbone (coccyx) in back. They function as support for the
internal organs, help control elimination from the bladder and bowel, and are
involved in sexual response.
The muscles of the pelvic floor may cause pelvic pain when they are tightened
for a long period of time. Spasm can cause a dull aching pain through the pelvis,
buttocks or hips, and occasionally down the leg. The pain may be experienced as
pressure, or as a burning or aching feeling localized in the pelvic organs, genital
region, and bones of the pelvis or abdomen.
The causes of this condition are not well understood. A history of pelvic or abdominal
surgery and disease may lead to muscle tension. Emotional stress, poor posture,
or physical trauma may also contribute to subconscious tightening of the pelvic
muscles. The result is pain or problems with the bowel and bladder, and with sexual
functioning.
Treatment
The goal is to build awareness of the pelvic muscles and learn to relax them.
Treatment options include using a variety of posture and therapeutic exercises,
relaxation and muscle awareness training. Some women may also benefit from muscle
stimulation to fatigue the muscles and decrease spasm.
Low
back pain during pregnancy may be unique and different from routine low back
pain. This pain may be caused by posture or by changes in muscular structure.
Treatment
The goal is to decrease low back pain. Treatment options may include flexibility
and strengthening exercises, learning good body mechanics, massage and relaxation
training. Support garments and belts may also be helpful.
Referral
Obtain a physician's order for therapy services. For an appointment or for more
information, call one of the Sister Kenny Sports & Physical Therapy
Center locations:
Buffalo (Gold's Gym)
101 14th St. NE
Buffalo, MN 55313
Telephone 763-684-3380
Coon Rapids (Mercy Hospital)
4050 Coon Rapids Blvd.
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Telephone 763-236-8908
Fax 763-236-8930
Elk River
14181 Business Ctr Dr NW
Elk River, MN 55330
Telephone 763-236-0580
Fax 763-236-0585
Forest Lake
555 West Broadway Ave., Suite 2
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Telephone: 651-982-1504
Fax: 651-982-4597
Minneapolis (2800 Building)
2800 Chicago Ave., Suite 102
Minneapolis, MN 55407-3799
Phone 612-863-4446
Fax 612-863-5698
St. Paul (Musculoskeletal Center at Bandana Square)
1021 Bandana Blvd. E., Suite 123
St. Paul, MN 55108
Telephone: 651-241-3939
Fax: 651-241-3945
White Bear Lake
945 Wildwood Road
White Bear Lake, MN 55115
Telephone 651-770-0176
Fax 651-770-0188
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Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
800 E. 28th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-863-4200 or toll free 866-880-3550
E-mail us
Source: Megan Vaught, licensed physical therapist, Supervisor, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation
Institute, Allina Hospitals & Clinics.
First published: 01/01/2002
Last updated: 07/15/2004
Reviewed by: Megan Vaught, licensed physical therapist, Supervisor, Sister Kenny
Rehabilitation Institute, Allina Hospitals & Clinics
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