PHYSIOCORE | BLADDER HEALTH

Urinary Incontinence & Bladder Leakage

Leaking when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or exercise? You have options.

Bladder leakage is common, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it as your new normal.

SCHEDULE YOUR PELVIC FLOOR EVALUATION

LET'S TALK ABOUT LEAKING

You Don't Have to Live in Liners

Maybe you cross your legs every time you sneeze. Maybe you avoid jumping, running, or laughing too hard. Or perhaps you're constantly searching for the nearest bathroom.

These experiences can feel frustrating, embarrassing, and limiting. But you are not alone.

Urinary incontinence means involuntary leakage of urine. It can happen for different reasons, and not every type is treated the same way.

Your pelvic floor may need strengthening, better coordination, improved relaxation, or a combination of strategies.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BLADDER

Three Common Types of Urinary Incontinence

Understanding why you're leaking is the first step toward finding an effective treatment plan.

01

Stress Incontinence

Leakage that occurs when pressure increases during activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, running, or lifting.

You might notice:

  • Leaking during workouts
  • Dribbling with a cough or sneeze
  • Leakage when jumping or lifting
02

Urge Incontinence

Leakage associated with a sudden, difficult-to-control urge to urinate.

You might notice:

  • Rushing to the bathroom
  • Leaking before reaching the toilet
  • Urgency triggered by arriving home or hearing running water
03

Mixed Incontinence

A combination of stress and urge urinary incontinence.

You might notice:

  • Leakage with exercise
  • Sudden bladder urgency
  • Both activity-related and urgency-related accidents

DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

Signs It's Time to Get Help

Pelvic floor physical therapy may be appropriate if you:

  • Leak when coughing, sneezing, or laughing
  • Avoid running, jumping, or exercising because of leakage
  • Have sudden urinary urgency
  • Frequently rush to the bathroom
  • Experience leakage after pregnancy or childbirth
  • Notice new bladder symptoms during perimenopause or menopause
  • Feel that bladder symptoms are affecting your daily life

New or persistent bladder symptoms deserve an appropriate medical evaluation, especially if they are accompanied by pain, blood in the urine, or difficulty emptying your bladder.

YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS

How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Helps

Effective bladder treatment is about much more than doing Kegels.

At PhysioCore, we assess how your pelvic floor, breathing, abdominal muscles, bladder habits, and daily activities work together.

01

Pelvic Floor Retraining

Improve strength, endurance, coordination, and relaxation based on your individual needs.

02

Bladder Retraining

Learn strategies for managing urgency, improving bladder habits, and reducing unnecessary bathroom trips.

03

Pressure Management

Learn how breathing, movement, and muscle coordination can help manage leakage during coughing, lifting, and exercise.

The goal isn't simply to stop leaking. It's to help you move, exercise, and live your life without constantly worrying about your bladder.

LET'S CLEAR SOMETHING UP

Are Kegels Always the Answer?

Not necessarily.

Some people benefit from pelvic floor strengthening. Others need to work on muscle relaxation, coordination, bladder habits, or how they manage pressure during everyday activities.

Doing more Kegels without knowing what your muscles need may not address the actual reason you're experiencing leakage.

Your treatment should be based on your body, not a generic exercise recommendation.

YOUR FIRST VISIT

What Happens at Your Evaluation?

We start by listening.

Your physical therapist will discuss your bladder symptoms, medical history, daily routines, exercise habits, and goals.

We may assess breathing, core function, movement patterns, and pelvic floor muscle function.

An internal pelvic floor examination may be offered when appropriate, but it is always explained first and performed only with your consent.

Together, we'll create an individualized treatment plan to address the factors contributing to your symptoms.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions About Bladder Leakage

Is leaking after having a baby normal?

Urinary leakage is common during pregnancy and postpartum, but it isn't something you must simply accept. Pelvic floor physical therapy may help.

Can I have incontinence if I've never had children?

Yes. Bladder leakage can affect people regardless of childbirth history. Pelvic floor function, bladder behavior, hormonal changes, and other factors may contribute.

Can physical therapy help urge incontinence?

Yes. Treatment may include bladder training, pelvic floor coordination, urgency-management strategies, and changes to bladder habits.

How long does treatment take?

It varies based on the type of incontinence, symptom severity, individual goals, and response to treatment. Your therapist will discuss a personalized plan.

PERSONALIZED IN-HOME CARE

Let's Get You Back to Living Without the Leaks

You deserve to laugh, lift, run, and enjoy your daily life without constantly worrying about bladder leakage.

PhysioCore provides individualized, in-home pelvic floor physical therapy throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.

SCHEDULE YOUR PELVIC FLOOR EVALUATION