In our active Boulder County community, we have observed an increase in the number of women participating in high intensity exercise such as CrossFit. The topic of pelvic health and CrossFit has been under discussion in recent years, prompted by reports of competitive female athletes experiencing urine loss due to stress urinary incontinence during CrossFit...
A perineal tear is a tear in the skin or muscle between the vaginal opening and anus that commonly occurs during a vaginal delivery. It is estimated that 85% of women who give birth vaginally will experience a perineal tear to some degree (Smith et al. 2013). Just like other muscle tears in the body,...
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when there is a lack of support from the muscles or connective tissues around the bladder, rectum or uterus (if applicable). Symptoms can include: sensation of pelvic heaviness or pressure in the vagina or rectum, incomplete emptying of the bladder or rectum, and more outlined here. Risk factors for prolapse include:...
Do you experience urinary leaking with jumping jacks, double-unders, box jumps or while jumping on the trampoline? Maybe you’re avoiding jumping altogether for fear of leaking or pelvic heaviness. Jumping is a great exercise as it helps build muscle strength and power, while challenging the cardiovascular system. It requires coordination, agility, and can be beneficial...
6 Ways to Reduce Urge Related Urinary Incontinence By Berrin Boyce, PT, DPT, PRPC Urinary urge incontinence or leaking with a strong sense of urge is estimated to impact 20-30% of women. In clinical practice I frequently work with patients of all genders and ages who experience urge related incontinence that interferes with work, school,...
Bladder and bowel dysfunction in children is a common and multifactorial functional problem. It is one of the most common reasons for referral to pediatric urology, accounting for up to 40% of visits. This increasingly common issue is a potential cause for physical and psychosocial burden for both children and families. Early diagnosis and treatment...
Control of our bladder and bowels are some of our most primal functions as humans and when something goes awry with those systems, it can be especially defeating for us. One cause of urinary or fecal incontinence can be due to what is called “urge incontinence”, which refers to leakage occurring when one cannot control...
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum and will affect about a third of Americans. While hemorrhoids typically resolve within a few weeks, they can be distressing and discomforting. Risk factors include chronic constipation and straining with bowel movements. Other research proposes it is not simply constipation, but rather high resting...
Does cycling contribute to men’s pelvic floor dysfunction? There is conflicting evidence on the effect of cycling and pelvic floor dysfunction in men. As the sport becomes more popular, especially here in Boulder, it is imperative to review the current literature to understand the effect, if any, this sport has on your pelvic floor and...
Disclaimer: Acute and active UTI’s should be evaluated and treated by a physician. Physical therapy as treatment of UTI’s should be done in non-acute periods as a way of preventing future infections. In 2018 the European Association of Urology Guidelines came out with a recommendation for recurrent UTI’s to be addressed first with behavior change,...
