The pelvic floor muscles are crucial for proper urinary function. Normally, they support the bladder, help us maintain continence, and allow us to urinate at will. Typically, we don’t think about our bladder until we feel the urge to urinate. However, when these muscles are dysfunctional, various symptoms can arise, turning the bladder into a daily inconvenience. While bladder issues are common, they are not normal, and pelvic floor physical therapy can offer effective relief.
Normal Bladder Function
- Normal urination frequency is six to eight times within 24 hours.
- Urine leakage is never normal.
- The urge to urinate should not feel extremely urgent or overwhelming.
- Normal urination typically takes around 20 seconds.
- Starting to urinate should be quick and easy.
- The urge to urinate should disappear after emptying the bladder.
- Drinking more fluids should increase the volume of urine, not how often you need to go.
- A normal bladder can hold between 300 to 600 milliliters.
- People under 60 might wake up once per night to urinate, while those over 60 might wake up twice.
- Experiencing pain before, during, or after urination is never normal.
Associated Diagnoses
Bladder symptoms are frequently linked to pelvic floor dysfunction and various other conditions. Disorders such as Endometriosis, Vulvodynia, Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, Pudendal Neuralgia, Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome/Male Pelvic Pain, post-prostatectomy complications, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, and postpartum changes often involve bladder issues.
Associated Diagnoses
Bladder symptoms are frequently linked to pelvic floor dysfunction and various other conditions. Disorders such as Endometriosis, Vulvodynia, Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, Pudendal Neuralgia, Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome/Male Pelvic Pain, post-prostatectomy complications, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, and postpartum changes often involve bladder issues.
Diagnostic Challenges
Pelvic floor dysfunction can often mimic symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, prostate, urinary tract, and bladder infections, leading to confusion during diagnosis. It’s not uncommon for individuals to be convinced they have an infection, only to find normal test results, leaving them puzzled. Unfortunately, bladder leakage has become so prevalent in women that it’s often seen as normal, discouraging them from seeking help. Women are frequently told that issues like this are just a part of childbirth or aging. Similarly, many men undergoing prostatectomy aren’t informed that up to 80% may experience post-surgical urinary incontinence. Regardless of your specific situation or underlying causes, an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist can be highly beneficial.
Diagnostic Challenges
Pelvic floor dysfunction can often mimic symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, prostate, urinary tract, and bladder infections, leading to confusion during diagnosis. It’s not uncommon for individuals to be convinced they have an infection, only to find normal test results, leaving them puzzled. Unfortunately, bladder leakage has become so prevalent in women that it’s often seen as normal, discouraging them from seeking help. Women are frequently told that issues like this are just a part of childbirth or aging. Similarly, many men undergoing prostatectomy aren’t informed that up to 80% may experience post-surgical urinary incontinence. Regardless of your specific situation or underlying causes, an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist can be highly beneficial.
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
If you’re dealing with bladder issues, seeking an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist can offer valuable insights into how pelvic floor dysfunction may be contributing to your symptoms. Bladder problems often stem from pelvic floor muscles that are either too tight, too weak, or not functioning properly. Traditionally, people were advised to do Kegel exercises for bladder health, but if your pelvic floor muscles are too tight, this might exacerbate your symptoms. That’s why it’s crucial to collaborate with a pelvic floor physical therapist to ensure appropriate rehabilitation. Sometimes, the pelvic floor muscles need to be lengthened before they can be strengthened.
During the virtual evaluation, the physical therapist will discuss your medical history and symptoms, previous diagnoses, and the effectiveness of any prior treatments you’ve undergone. It’s important to acknowledge that by the time you seek help, you may already be feeling frustrated. Rest assured, we understand what you’re going through and are here to support you on your journey to better bladder health.
When consulting via telehealth, the physical therapist thoroughly assesses muscles, tissues, joints, nerves, and movement patterns to understand the root of your symptoms. After completing the examination, your therapist discusses their findings with you. They then develop an assessment outlining how your symptoms developed and establish short and long-term treatment goals.
After the virtual examination or checkup, typically, virtual physical therapy sessions are scheduled one to two times per week over approximately 12 weeks. You’ll also receive a home exercise program to complement your virtual sessions. Additionally, your physical therapist coordinates your recovery with other members of your treatment team. Our goal is to support you in your recovery journey so you can live your best life!
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
If you’re dealing with bladder issues, seeking an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist can offer valuable insights into how pelvic floor dysfunction may be contributing to your symptoms. Bladder problems often stem from pelvic floor muscles that are either too tight, too weak, or not functioning properly. Traditionally, people were advised to do Kegel exercises for bladder health, but if your pelvic floor muscles are too tight, this might exacerbate your symptoms. That’s why it’s crucial to collaborate with a pelvic floor physical therapist to ensure appropriate rehabilitation. Sometimes, the pelvic floor muscles need to be lengthened before they can be strengthened.
During the virtual evaluation, the physical therapist will discuss your medical history and symptoms, previous diagnoses, and the effectiveness of any prior treatments you’ve undergone. It’s important to acknowledge that by the time you seek help, you may already be feeling frustrated. Rest assured, we understand what you’re going through and are here to support you on your journey to better bladder health.
When consulting via telehealth, the physical therapist thoroughly assesses muscles, tissues, joints, nerves, and movement patterns to understand the root of your symptoms. After completing the examination, your therapist discusses their findings with you. They then develop an assessment outlining how your symptoms developed and establish short and long-term treatment goals.
After the virtual examination or checkup, typically, virtual physical therapy sessions are scheduled one to two times per week over approximately 12 weeks. You’ll also receive a home exercise program to complement your virtual sessions. Additionally, your physical therapist coordinates your recovery with other members of your treatment team. Our goal is to support you in your recovery journey so you can live your best life!
How Can We Help You?
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At its heart, Pelvic Pain Explained is the story of how patients develop pelvic pain, the challenges patients and providers face throughout the diagnosis and treatment process, the difficult task of sifting through the different available treatment options, and the impact that an “invisible” condition has on a patient’s life and relationships, and much more.