Lifting heavy items, holding our breath and pushing to have a bowel movement are common ways in which we "bear down" to get things done. Bearing down may seem harmless and maybe even necessary, but it's effects can be extremely detrimental. When we bear down, pressure is exerted within the abdominal cavity, pushing... Read more
In January of this year, Oprah welcomed Dr. Christiane Northrop, a specialist in Women's Health, to stand before America and discuss the stuff nobody wants to talk about: incontinence! Dr. Northrop stressed the importance of proper pelvic floor strengthening exercises (Kegels) and suggested that patients with incontinence... Read more
"Participation in regular athletics appears to be a significant risk factor for having Urinary Stress Incontinence," claims an article published in the most recent edition of the American Physical Therapy Association's Section On Women's Health. The study conducted at Duke University compared pelvic floor activity... Read more
Bladder prolapse, or cystocele, is a common problem postpartum and often years later. When the bladder drops into the vaginal space, it weakens the pelvic floor due to increased pressure and can cause urinary incontinence. Additionally, since the bladder drops to a lower position in the pelvis, the urethra can often get "kinked" which... Read more
Whether your bladder is irritable, leaking, or you are frequently running to the bathroom, the loss of bladder control is embarrassing for anyone. You may be recently postpartum, had a recent hysterectomy or just realizing your bladder control is diminishing. Don't worry - Physical Therapy can help (Oprah's show featured Dr Christine... Read more
