Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy in Los Angeles
A considerable number of kids in Los Angeles encounter bladder or bowel voiding issues. Surprisingly, one-fifth of pediatric consultations revolve around incontinence concerns. The bright side? Non-invasive physical therapy methods boast significant efficacy in addressing these issues. The overarching term for children’s struggles with bladder and bowel control is labeled as “dysfunctional voiding.” Here are various diagnoses that fit under this category:
The Facts
A considerable number of kids in Los Angeles encounter bladder or bowel voiding issues. Surprisingly, one-fifth of pediatric consultations revolve around incontinence concerns. The bright side? Non-invasive physical therapy methods boast significant efficacy in addressing these issues. The overarching term for children’s struggles with bladder and bowel control is labeled as “dysfunctional voiding.” Here are various diagnoses that fit under this category:
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
Achieving full brain and nervous system control over the bladder isn’t always attained by the time a child is toilet trained. Frequently, even post-toilet training, a child’s bladder retains the hyperactive/hypersensitive behavior characteristic of infancy’s automatic bladder. Combine this with the timing of toilet training, occurring during a period when children are engrossed in developing interests. To avoid interrupting their enjoyment while playing with friends or toys, they might start holding their urine for as long as they can.
This habit of “holding” triggers the contraction of pelvic floor muscles and the external urinary sphincter, potentially leading to dysfunction, such as a persistent irregular urinary voiding pattern. For instance, certain children may struggle to sense bladder fullness, resulting in daytime leakage or nighttime bedwetting. Others may contend with urinary urgency and frequency. Additionally, some may encounter recurrent bladder infections.
How a PT in Los Angeles Can Help
Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a multitude of benefits in addressing voiding dysfunction.
Pelvic floor physical therapy will address the child’s weak pelvic floor muscle control through biofeedback. The patient will be connected to a biofeedback monitor using two externally placed stickers. Subsequently, the PT in Los Angeles will instruct the child to “contract,” “relax,” and “bulge” their pelvic floor muscles based on the feedback displayed on the biofeedback screen. This approach aids the child in regaining control over their pelvic floor.
In the case of constipation, biofeedback can also be beneficial by instructing the child on how to push and lengthen the pelvic floor, as they may not be executing these actions correctly.
In addition, the PT will help the child learn how to utilize their breath to enhance pelvic floor motor control, often incorporating bubbles into the exercise.
Furthermore, the PT will provide the child with education regarding the bladder and bowel systems, enabling them to grasp that their voiding issues are not arbitrary but have explanations behind them. This empowers the child with a sense of ownership and control over the situation. Utilizing games, books, and visual aids, the PT educates the child about anatomy. Moreover, PT assists pediatric patients in addressing any behavioral aspects associated with their voiding dysfunction.
In most cases, the physical therapist requires approximately two sessions to gain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of the patient’s voiding dysfunction. It’s common to find a combination of muscle control and behavioral issues that require treatment.
The initial evaluation appointment extends to an hour, with subsequent appointments ranging from thirty minutes to one hour. A guardian is consistently present during each session, and children usually complete around six to eight visits.
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