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Joking about “laughing so hard that I peed my pants?”

November 11, 2014
Joking about “laughing so hard that I peed my pants?”  Have friends who know where every bathroom in the mall is (and not because they are potty-training kids)? Are you the mom who must decide whether to unload the baby first or dash to the bathroom?  If this sounds familiar, if you are afraid to increase your activity level because of leaking, or have given in and wear liners everywhere you go, it is time to take back control of your body!   Urinary and fecal incontinence are common, especially after childbirth (vag AND c-sections) but is NOT NORMAL and can be treated—usually without medications or surgeries.

If you read last month’s mini-article, you learned that the pelvic floor is the base of the core.  The pelvic floor is a group of small muscles and support tissues that form a hammock type support from the pubic bone to the coccyx.  Small but mighty, these tissues must support the abdominal and pelvic organs-everything from the diaphragm down. Add to that a growing baby, labor, and delivery and it is no wonder that we have close calls!  The pelvic floor muscles are supposed to work in coordination with the other core muscles, but sometimes we learn “bad habits”, and the muscles do not work as a team.  When the team is not working together, you are at risk for leakage.  On top of that, when you are worried about leakage, you might start going “just in case” or limiting fluid.  Not the way to take care of the problem, but what is a busy girl to do?

The answer is not doing kegels all day long (although some magazines and doctors still tell you that is the way). Instead, see a Women’s Health Physical Therapist (yep..PT ), have an evaluation, learn about your anatomy and how your muscles are (or not) functioning, and get a program to get your body back into working order! 

At Embody Physiotherapy & Wellness, Rebecca and Susan specialize in women’s health, and in addition to working with you on an individual basis, are the only group in Western PA to offer “Total Control®; Fitness from the Inside Out”, a group exercise class to strengthen the core and improve continence.  Contact us at info@embody-pt.com if you are ready to TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR BODY.