ReVitalize Mama

BLADDER CONTROL BASICS | BLADDER TRAINING Babies are born incontinent. Meaning that they do not have voluntary control over their bladder (or bowels). When they begin to walk and move about the world they also begin to have improved control of their bladder. This is not a coincidence. Movement of the hips and pelvis triggers the activation of the pelvic floor muscles and improves control over bladder function. As we age and become less mobile or begin to have restrictio...Continue reading

BLADDER CONTROL BASICS | DIETARY CHANGES Certain foods can irritate the bladder and cause the muscles in the walls of the bladder to spasm. Reducing bladder irritating foods can be a huge help in decreasing bladder accidents and leakage. Certain foods can cause the body to become inflamed. Inflammation in the body causes a whole list of health related issues, including muscle tension, swelling, pain, weight gain and an increase in certain diseases (such as diabetes, ca...Continue reading

BLADDER CONTROL BASICS | PART 2 In a study conducted by the department of Urology at San Diego Medical Center, 100 women were screened for bladder related symptoms. The study found that 81% of the women who were positive for bladder related issues, started developing their symptoms by the age of 30. Most women in the study began having early signs of bladder related issues when their urination became more frequent (> 8 times/day) and they had aggravation of their frequ...Continue reading

BLADDER CONTROL BASICS | PART 1 Let’s talk about leakage! Urine leakage that is. What is it? Why does it happen? How can we prevent it from happening? ... In the scientific world, urine leakage is called urinary incontinence. There are a few different types of incontinence and it is important to know the difference, so that we know how to treat it effectively. The most commonly known form of urinary incontinence can show up as a continuous or intermittent leakage of urine, with no apparent cause. This type of leakage is more common in older women who may have lost control of their bladder, may have developed pelvic floor weakness, or may have some form of pelvic organ prolapse (pelvic organs begin to drop down into the walls of the vagina). Don’t fear! If we address incontinence symptoms before they become a long term problem, we can prevent this form of incontinence from happening all together! More commonly in younger women, during pregnancy, or postpartum, urine leakage shows up in times of stress or movement, such as when coughing, sneezing, running, jumping, or straining while exercising. We call this stress urinary incontinence. Alternatively, incontinence can also show up as a strong urge out of no where. This strong urge results in a feeling or immediate need to find the restroom and may result in sporadic leakage along the way to the bathroom or in a time when you cannot find the restroom in time to meet the urge. This is known as urge urinary incontinence. All three forms of urinary incontinence can be treated with pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), bladder re-training, and dietary changes to decrease bladder irritation and spasticity. However, each type must be treated slightly differently in order to target the root cause of the problem. Tomorrow, I will be discussing the root cause of each type of incontinence and why/how we treat each type a little differently in order to target the cause of the symptoms. Do you or have you suffered from one of these types of leakage? I know I have! Please share any and all questions below so that the group can benefit from the answers. Stay dry!

Did you know that in France, any woman who has delivered a baby automatically gets a prescription for 10 free physical therapy sessions to "re-educate" her pelvic floor? Many women outside of France are not even aware about what the pelvic floor is and what help is available out there. A lack of understanding among young women about the importance of the pelvic floor - which, if weakened during childbirth can cause incontinence - is being linked to problems later in life, according to the latest research. "On average, 1 in 7 older adults - men and women - experience incontinence, but it's twice as common in women" explains Lisa Smyth, Consultant Urologist at Tallaght University Hospital. Shared from APTA Section on Women’s Health

As mama’s ourselves, we get that those early weeks postpartum can be physically, emotionally, and energetically draining. You want to be able to focus all of you energy and attention to nurturing and caring for your little one, but let’s face it, it’s hard. Your body has just been through intense physical trauma and you are still healing. You need support. You deserve support. We are here for you mama! #postpartum #postpartumbody #postpartumfitness #postpartumsupport #postpartumphysicaltherapy #postpartumdepression #postpartumweightloss #newmom #newmomlife #kegelexercises #kegels #kegel #prolapse #incontinence #pelvicfloorexercises #pelvicpain #pelvicfloor #nursingmom #lactation