Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Urinary Incontinence

The loss of bladder control is a common and often embarrassing problem that can affect lifestyle and self-confidence. At Dr Emma Clinics, we offer a two effective solutions to treat persistent female incontinence, focusing on post-natal women and menopausal women; Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Urolon.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is an established first line of treatment for urinary incontinence with up to 75% showing improvements with urine leakage, with the best results attained from supervised exercise.

Supervised Pelvic floor muscle training is one of the ways that our Pelvic Health Physio Marian McGuinness, one of Ireland’s leading practitioners in this field, helps women regain their control. Marian has spent over 10 years working in this area and brings a wealth of experience.

Stress Urinary Incontinence is where urine escapes from the bladder during an increase in intraabdominal pressure, for example, sneezing, laughing, coughing, exercising or heavy lifting. Overactive bladder is where there is a sudden and often uncontrollable urge to pass urine that is sometimes associated with leaking. This can happen in women as a result of:

• Childbirth; Vaginal delivery can damage the muscles and the fascia that support the bladder, which make control of urine more difficult. Pelivc organ prolapse can occur as a result of childbirth where the bladder, uterus or bowel can push down into the vagina and create and uncomfortable and unnerving feeling of vaginal pressure. This can be a barrier for women when exercising and can contribute to incontinence.
• Menopause; Women going through the menopause produce less estrogen, a hormone that helps keep the lining of the bladder and urethra healthy. Deterioration of these tissues can aggravate incontinence. Involuntary bladder contractions can occur making urinary frequency and urgency a problem for some women.

You will start with a Pelvic floor history taking and assessment by our Pelvic Health Physio. This may include a vaginal examination. We will provide you with tailored management advice and a bespoke exercise programme. We will provide you with the tips and techniques for optimum recovery.

Our Phyiostherapy-led treatment techniques include a supervised Pelvic Floor muscle strengthening program, bladder training techniques, urge suppression, the “top tips” for a health pelvic floor including do’s and don’ts. Marian also works with women who have bowel problems such as faecal incontinence, and those who have pain with sexual intercourse.

“Pelvic floor dysfunction can be debilitating for many women and can contribute to other problems such as reduced body confidence, fear of exercise, low mood. I have been working with women with pelvic floor dysfunction for over ten years and have seen how successful conservative management can be for many women. I feel honoured to guide women in their rehab and see the difference that my treatments and advice can make”
– Marian

Treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction is delivered at Dr Emma Clinics by Marian McGuinness, a Chartered Physiotherapist since 2008 (CORU registration number PT032707) who is also a member of the Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health & Continence (CPWHC). Marian’s areas of interest include female incontinence, prolapse, pelvic floor assessment and rehabilitation, and Pilates. She prides herself in keeping up to date on the latest research developments both in Ireland and internationally. Learn more about Marian.

Continence assessments and Pelvic Floor Therapy are offered in person at our Newry clinic, ideally located for women in Newry and Mourne and across County Armagh and County Down. We also offer patients from further afield the option of a virtual menopause consultation. You can phone us to book a consultation (Newry 028 3025 0943) or, if you have questions or prefer a call back, use our contact form to get in touch.

How to arrange an appointment:

• Call Dr Emma Clinics on 028 3025 0943 (if out-of-hours, leave a message and we’ll reply soonest)
• Complete and submit our enquiry form, remembering to state the treatment you want to book in the comments section

You can view the prices for all of our treatments on our Pricing page