Katy came in to see us at Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy in New York City with some issues related to her pelvic floor muscles, which were causing a frequent urge to urinate. After conducting an initial evaluation, it was found that she had increased pelvic floor muscle tone on a biofeedback test, as well as decreased net strength in that region. Katy also had a tendency to hold her breath and guard, or tense her abdominal wall when performing a Kegel contraction of her pelvic floor muscles.
Further examination revealed that Katy had tight and tender inner thigh, hip rotator and hip flexor muscles with trigger points that reproduced her pelvic pain. She was also found to have weak muscles in her buttocks and poor hip and pelvic stability while standing. Finally, Katy told us that she was drinking more coffee than usual and withholding water, which was dehydrating her body and triggering her sensation of needing to urinate.
After completing this evaluation, we diagnosed Katy with vaginismus, or pelvic pain, and urinary urge incontinence, a problem with bladder function causing her regular and sudden need to urinate. Katy stated that her goals of treatment were to reduce the pelvic pain, better control her urinary urgency and decrease her anxiety while at work in the hospitality industry.
How Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy in New York City addressed Katy’s problem
Treatment started by educating Katy on her symptoms and complaints, and how it all tied in with the muscle, fascia and soft tissues of her pelvic floor, hips and low abdomen. From there, we initiated a pelvic floor down-training program to decrease her muscular guarding/tension/tone. This involved breathing activities for her diaphragm, foam rolling and stretching to her hip muscles, biofeedback, pelvic floor muscle stretching and a technique called myofascial release.
Once Katy’s muscle tone decreased on the biofeedback machine, we followed up with pelvic floor and hip strengthening exercises to allow for a more effective postponing of urges to urinate. Additionally, Katy was educated on strategies to decrease the anxiety surrounding her pain and urgency, and how to avoid irritants to her bladder that could lead to triggers and flare-ups.
After 4-6 weeks of 1-2 treatment sessions per week, Katy was symptom-free, able to prolong her time to the restroom and significantly decreased her urinary urgency and frequency throughout the day. The pelvic pain and burning that came with urination and bladder filling also was not an issue anymore. With this impressive improvement, Katy was given a final strengthening and stretching routine, as well as bladder retraining strategies to maintain her gains and prevent flare-ups in the future.
After completing treatment, Katy had this to say about her experience: “It’s great that I can work and go through my day without having to worry what or how much I’m drinking or where the nearest bathroom is,” she said. “My pain when using the bathroom has all but gone after pelvic floor physical, so thank you!”
Our physical therapists can bring about similar improvements for you
Urinary issues can make everyday life a major hassle, so we are glad to see that Katy was able to make significant strides with her condition and that she doesn’t have to keep an eye out for the closest bathroom at all times anymore. If you’re experiencing any urinary problems, pain in that region or anywhere else in your body, Dynamic Sports Physical Therapy in New York City is certain to have a solution to address it. Contact us at 212-317-8303 to schedule an appointment today, or click here to read our last blog on vaginismus.
