Regaining Bladder Control Through Personalized Pelvic Floor Therapy
Introduction
For many, bladder leakage and pelvic discomfort can disrupt daily life and confidence. This case study highlights the journey of Angie, a 49-year-old woman who presented with urinary incontinence and nocturia. Through a targeted physical therapy plan, she achieved significant improvement, regained control over her symptoms, and learned the strategies needed for long-term success.
Patient Background
- Age: 49
- Presenting Condition: Urinary incontinence and pelvic discomfort.
- Initial Symptoms: Difficulty controlling her bladder, frequent urination at night (waking 2-3 times), and a strong, persistent urge to urinate during the day.
- Path to Our Clinic: The patient learned about our clinic from her sister, who was a current pelvic health patient. She was a returning patient to the Physio One network.
Challenges and Initial Misconceptions
- Patient’s Initial Beliefs: The patient had a limited understanding of what pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) involved. She assumed it might only focus on Kegels or require internal examinations, and wasn’t fully aware of the range of treatments available to address her symptoms.
- Patient’s Goals: Her main goal was to learn effective exercises and strategies to manage her urinary symptoms, reduce incontinence, and decrease the frequency of nighttime urination.
Our Treatment Plan & Approach
- Overview: We developed a personalized plan of care that combined strengthening exercises with crucial behavioral modifications to retrain the bladder and supporting muscles.
- Key Interventions:
- Therapeutic Exercise: We prescribed a focused program of core and hip strengthening exercises to provide better support for the pelvic floor. She was also instructed on the proper technique for performing Kegels to improve muscle control.
- Patient Education: A significant part of her plan involved education on lifestyle and bladder habits. This included:
- Modifying the timing and amount of fluid intake.
- Identifying and avoiding bladder irritants in her diet.
- Learning strategies like abdominal breathing to manage urgency.
Results & Recovery
- Timeline to Relief: The patient reported significant improvement in her pelvic symptoms by her 5th session, halfway through her recommended plan of care.
- Functional Milestones Achieved:
- Gained independence with her home exercise program for core and hip strength.
- Successfully implemented lifestyle modifications, leading to healthier bladder habits and voiding patterns.
- Mastered techniques to control urgency and frequency, significantly reducing her symptoms.
- Therapy Duration: The patient was seen for a total of 10 visits, once a week, from July to September 2025.
Conclusion & Discharge Outcome
- Final Status: At her request, the patient was discharged after 10 visits due to the significant improvement in her symptoms and her confidence in managing them independently. She left therapy equipped with a home exercise program and the knowledge of lifestyle modifications needed to maintain her progress.
How we Can Help You
- For Patients: If urinary urgency or incontinence is impacting your life, know that there are effective strategies to help you regain control. Contact our office to learn how personalized pelvic floor therapy can work for you.
- For Providers: Our evidence-based approach to treating urinary incontinence combines therapeutic exercise with vital patient education, leading to excellent patient independence and outcomes. To refer a patient or learn more about our services, please contact us through marketing@myphysioone.com or directly through one of our Provider Relations Specialists.
