How can you improve the quality of life for children dealing with bladder and bowel incontinence?
Did you know that chronic constipation is the cause of the majority of incontinence cases? When kids enter school or change routines for the summer, their bladder and bowel habits change significantly. Potty routines, meal times, novel environments, and decreased activity levels are all affected. This can influence many kids to begin stool withholding, which then contributes to functional constipation. Basic bodily functions, anatomy and the mechanisms behind chronic constipation are not taught in schools or at home. We need to learn the basics for ourselves to pass on to our children! Can physical therapy really help? Call today for [...]
Core Strength for Kids — Why Does It Matter?
Building strong core muscles in our kids is key to nurturing a healthy foundation for their future well-being! Let's talk about why core strength in children is crucial for the health of their pelvic floors! *The pelvic floor muscles are a vital part of the body that support our bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. Strengthening the core helps maintain pelvic floor integrity, reducing the risk of issues like fecal and/or urinary incontinence. *A strong core contributes to better posture and balance, which is fundamental for preventing falls and injuries in active kids. We also need good posture and balance [...]
Tips for Potty Training — Get Acquainted With the Bristol Stool Scale
Attention parents potty training children! Did you know constipation can commonly occur during potty training? Several factors could contribute to this. Firstly, kiddos might feel a bit anxious or stressed about the whole potty training process, which can lead to holding back their bowel movements. Secondly, they may not fully understand the urge to go or how to relax their muscles to let it all out. Here is a tool to help! Introducing the Bristol Stool Scale: It is like a map for your child's poop journey. This scale classifies stool into different types, ranging from type 1 (hard lumps) [...]
Say Goodbye to Bellyaches!
Are you tired of dealing with gastrointestinal discomfort? Well, we've got a game-changing solution for you! Did you know that pelvic floor physical therapy can be incredibly beneficial in relieving gastrointestinal issues? That's right! Say goodbye to uncomfortable bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain with this amazing therapy! So, what's the secret? Your pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in maintaining healthy digestion and bowel movements. When these muscles are too tight or weak, they can cause a variety of gastrointestinal problems. But don't worry, pelvic floor physical therapy is here to save the day! By working with a skilled [...]
No more poop smears!
If you child consistently has skid marks in their underwear, we understand how frustrating and overwhelming it can be. Here’s some good news: pelvic floor physical therapy can help! Encopresis, or fecal incontinence, can often be caused by weak or dysfunctional pelvic floor muscles. By working with a pelvic floor physical therapist, your child can learn exercises and techniques to improve pelvic floor muscle function and reduce symptoms of encopresis. Don’t let encopresis hold your child back any longer! Contact a pelvic floor physical therapist today to learn more about how we can help! Get this problem taken care of [...]
Magnesium for constipation relief
You may have heard of using Magnesium for constipation relief, but what type of Magnesium do you choose? Magnesium plays a crucial role in our body's digestive system. It helps to relax the muscles in our intestines, making it easier for things to, well, move along smoothly. Let's explore the different types of Magnesium available in supplement form: -Magnesium Citrate: Known for its efficient absorption and quick relief, Magnesium Citrate is often a go-to option for thoseexperiencing constipation. It draws water into the intestines, softening stool and promoting bowel movements. -Magnesium Oxide: This type of Magnesium is commonly found in [...]
Children’s Bladder Health vs School Teacher’s Schedule
Children's Bladder Health vs. School Teacher's Schedule Following is a fantastic article by Dr. Steven Hodges, MD, a pediatric urologist from Wake Forest University about the importance of good bladder health in children. Restricting bathroom breaks is not the answer! Has your child’s school implemented a scheduled bathroom break restriction? Schooling First-Grade Teachers on Children’s Bladder Health
More Proof High-Fiber Diets Help Prevent Cancers, Heart Disease
More Proof High-Fiber Diets Help Prevent Cancers, Heart Disease Did you know fiber is an important part of your diet? The higher the daily fiber intake the better! Check out the article below for more details! Daily Health News
Why Talk About Bowel When I Leak Urine?
Why Talk About Bowel When I Leak Urine? By Dawn Sandalcidi, PT, RCMT, BCB_PMD When children come to physical therapy for evaluation of urinary leakage, daytime and/or night time, we frequently ask questions about their bowel habits. Many people wonder why we ask about the bowel when they have urinary leakage (a.k.a. incontinence). The reason is that the bowel and the bladder share the same nuerologic input as well as the same muscles to help control them. When the bowel is full and doesn’t empty on a regular basis, it puts pressure on the back of the bladder [...]
Constipation: Big Picture Therapy
Constipation: Big Picture Therapy Author: Susannah Haarmann, PT, WCS, CLT You made an appointment with a pelvic therapist to address urinary urgency and now they’re asking you questions about your bowel function? Invasive or awkward much? We get it, but we need to know. Let me explain; there are 3 outlets sharing a tight space within your pelvis. The bowel, bladder and reproductive pathways are intimately related and a malfunction of one might cause some compromise in another. Just think about how much satisfaction is tied to your ability to poop, pee and have sex! It’s our job to [...]
