Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
It’s not your child’s fault!
There is no legitimate evidence that shows that bowel and bladder issues are a problem because a child is lazy, a heavy sleeper, attention seeking, defiant, anxious, depressed, or part of a chaotic home environment.
The Problem
Bedwetting, urine leakage and soiling episodes should not be considered a normal part of any child’s experience and can be the sign of an underlying issue that should be addressed. Enuresis (day and night time wetting) and encopresis (soiling) are medical conditions and a child should never be blamed or shamed for bowel and bladder issues. As many as 1 out of every 7 school-age children have at least one symptom of voiding dysfunction, according to some studies. Families try fluid restriction, strict diets, medical tests, behavioral therapy, alarms,chiropractic, bedwetting drugs and months and even years of dosing Miralax (PEG 3350).
Perhaps behavior and anxiety is actually not the cause of these problems but the result of this ongoing medical issue and years of ineffective treatment.
Finding help can be a real struggle. We can help!
The Process
Our team will meet with you and your child to discuss their symptoms and concerns, evaluate their overall development, muscle function, coordination postural control, and balance. We will assess their diet and nutrition, help you chart their bowel and bladder habits, and work with you and your family to develop a personalized treatment program designed for success. This may include exercises to improve bowel and bladder function and reduce pain as well as behavior and lifestyle changes to help your child meet their goals. We may use biofeedback and communication designed to promote success.
Who Benefits?
If your child experiences :
Frequent daytime wetting (Enuresis) and leaking
Bedwetting
Constipation
Encopresis (Fecal soiling or skimarks)
Daytime urinary urgency or frequency
Vesicoureteral Reflux (Backflow of the urine into the kidney)
Pelvic pain
Withholding or refuses to empty the bowel or bladder in the toilet
Frequent UTI’s or Other Voiding Dysfunctions
What makes us different?
Pediactivity pelvic floor therapists are highly educated in the anatomy, physiology, and in the development of normal voiding reflexes and urinary control and have a comprehensive understanding of the common causes of bowel and bladder incontinence in the pediatric population. Through years of working with children who present with a wide array of conditions, they also have a comprehensive approach to evaluation of every child. They take into consideration all aspects and patterns of movement, boney and soft tissue alignment, reflexes and motor responses, as well as strength, balance and coordination deficits that may be present in children with bowel and bladder issues.
The pediactivity pelvic floor therapist understands the enormity of this problem, understands how to help families navigate the medical, physical, psychological and social weight of bowel and bladder dysfunction, and works with everyone involved to provide solutions and a path to resolution for all.
Studies Show
According to the International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) children should have daytime and nighttime bladder control by age 5 for a typically developing child.
Austin PF, Bauer SB, Bower W, et al. The standardization of terminology of lower urinary tract function in children and adolescents: Update report from the standardization committee of the International Children’s Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn. 2016;35:471–81
Children who experience chronic constipation that do not get treated have a 50% chance of having issues for life?
Hyams, JS, et al. Childhood Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Child/Adolescent. Gastroenterology volume 150, 2016;1456-1468.
Have Questions?
Find out if pelvic floor/bowel & bladder dysfunction treatment is right for you child.
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