Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy in Lexington, Massachusetts
Bladder or bowel voiding dysfunction is a common challenge among children in Lexington, Massachusetts, with a notable 20% of pediatric appointments dedicated to incontinence-related issues. Fortunately, non-invasive physical therapy approaches prove remarkably successful in tackling these concerns. Termed “dysfunctional voiding,” this umbrella phrase encapsulates various diagnoses associated with children’s difficulties in controlling their bladder and bowel functions:
The Facts
Bladder or bowel voiding dysfunction is a common challenge among children in Lexington, Massachusetts, with a notable 20% of pediatric appointments dedicated to incontinence-related issues. Fortunately, non-invasive physical therapy approaches prove remarkably successful in tackling these concerns. Termed “dysfunctional voiding,” this umbrella phrase encapsulates various diagnoses associated with children’s difficulties in controlling their bladder and bowel functions:
The Facts
Bladder Symptoms
- Nighttime bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)
- Daytime wetting
- Stress incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Urinary frequency/urgency
- Urinary retention
- Frequent Urinary Tract Infections
- Vesicoureteral reflux
- Constipation
- Bowel incontinence and/or inability to empty bowel
- Fecal Urgency/Frequency
Bladder Voiding Dysfunction
Complete mastery of brain and nervous system regulation over the bladder isn’t consistently achieved by the time a child completes toilet training. Often, even after toilet training, a child’s bladder maintains the hyperactive/hypersensitive tendencies reminiscent of infancy’s automatic bladder. Add to this the timing of toilet training, occurring during a phase when children are engrossed in exploring new interests. To prevent disrupting their enjoyment while playing with friends or toys, they might resort to holding their urine for extended periods.
The act of “holding” initiates the tightening of pelvic floor muscles and the external urinary sphincter, which can ultimately result in dysfunction, such as a continual abnormal urinary voiding pattern. For instance, some children may have difficulty sensing bladder fullness, leading to daytime leakage or nighttime bedwetting. Others may experience urinary urgency and frequency. Furthermore, some may suffer from frequent bladder infections.
How a PT in Lexington, Massachusetts Can Help
Pelvic floor PT provides a wide range of assistance for voiding dysfunction.
In pelvic floor physical therapy, the child’s deficient pelvic floor muscle control will be treated using biofeedback. By attaching two stickers externally, the patient will be connected to a biofeedback monitor. The PT in Lexington, Massachusetts will then guide the child through pelvic floor muscle contractions, relaxations, and bulges based on the feedback provided on the biofeedback screen. This process assists the child in reestablishing control over their pelvic floor.
When dealing with constipation, biofeedback can be useful in teaching the child the correct methods for pushing and lengthening the pelvic floor, as they may not be doing it effectively.
In addition, the PT will assist the child in utilizing their breath to improve pelvic floor motor control. This may involve incorporating bubbles into the exercise routine.
Furthermore, the PT will educate the child on the bladder and bowel systems, ensuring they comprehend that their voiding problems have reasons behind them rather than being random occurrences. This empowers the child with a sense of ownership and control over the issue. Using games, books, and visual aids, the PT teaches the child about anatomy. Additionally, PT assists pediatric patients in addressing any behavioral issues associated with their voiding dysfunction.
Typically, it takes about two visits for the physical therapist to grasp the entirety of what contributes to the patient’s voiding dysfunction. More often than not, there’s a combination of muscle control and behavioral issues that need addressing.
The first assessment session typically lasts for an hour, while regular appointments can vary from thirty minutes to one hour. A guardian accompanies the child during each appointment, and typically, children attend six to eight visits.
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