Urinary Incontinence Treatment

Urinary control relies on the finely coordinated activities of the smooth muscle tissue of the urethra and bladder, skeletal muscles, voluntary inhibition, and the autonomic nervous system.

Urinary incontinence can result from anatomic, physiologic, or pathologic (disease) factors. Congenital and acquired disorders of muscle innervations (e.g., ALS, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis) eventually cause inadequate urinary storage or control.

Acute and temporary urinary incontinence are commonly caused by the following:

• Childbirth
• Limited mobility
• Medication side effects
• Urinary tract infection

Chronic urinary incontinence is commonly caused by these factors:

• Birth defects
• Bladder muscle weakness
• Blocked urethra (due to benign prostate hyperplasia, tumor, etc.)
• Brain or spinal cord injury
• Nerve disorders
• Pelvic floor muscle weakness
• Vaginal prolapse

Types of Urinary Incontinence

Of the several types of urinary incontinence, stress, urge, and mixed incontinence account for more than 90 percent of cases. Overflow incontinence is more common in people with disorders that affect the nerve supply originating in the upper portion of the spinal cord and older men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The primary characteristics of these types are as follows:

• Stress—urine loss during physical activity that increases abdominal pressure (e.g., coughing, sneezing, laughing)
• Urge—urine loss with urgent need to void and involuntary bladder contraction (also called detrusor instability)
• Mixed—both stress and urge incontinence
• Overflow—constant dribbling of urine; bladder never completely empties

Treatments at Health and Performance International in New York City:

• Therapy relies on self regulation techniques: biofeedback training using SEMG, BVP with auditory and visual feedback.
• Biofeedback training from our therapists to assess, train and strengthen your muscles.
• Mental imagery and visualization combined to diaphragmatic breathing and heart rate variability training to regulate the sympathetic nervous system.
• Customized home exercise programs.