Pediatric Pelvic Health Therapy
What is Pelvic Health Therapy?
Pediatric pelvic health therapy is a specialized field that focuses on addressing pelvic health concerns in children. This area of therapy is dedicated to evaluating and treating conditions affecting the pelvic floor muscles, which are responsible for bowel and bladder control.
Through a combination of age-appropriate exercises, behavioral interventions, nutritional strategies and education, therapists aim to optimize pelvic function and improve the overall well-being of pediatric patients. Occupational therapists can work with children who may be experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction issues such as bedwetting, constipation, pelvic pain, or difficulties with toilet training.
Would My Child Benefit From Pediatric Pelvic Health Therapy?
Occupational therapists can assist with a variety of issues related to pelvic health in children. Some common conditions and concerns that these therapists address include:
Bedwetting (Enuresis):
Therapists can work with children experiencing difficulties with bladder control during the day or night, helping them develop appropriate bladder habits and strengthening pelvic floor muscles.
Constipation and Bowel Dysfunction:
Therapists can help children who struggle with constipation, fecal incontinence, or difficulties with bowel movements.
Pelvic Pain:
Children may experience pelvic pain for various reasons, such as muscle tension or dysfunction.
Genitourinary Conditions:
Therapists may work with children dealing with genitourinary conditions, such as congenital anomalies or post-surgical rehabilitation, to optimize pelvic health and function.
Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction:
Children with pelvic muscle dysfunction, including weak or tight pelvic floor muscles, can benefit from therapeutic interventions aimed at improving muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility.
Stress Incontinence:
This occurs when there is increased pressure on the bladder, leading to leakage during activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
Urge Incontinence:
Also known as overactive bladder, urge incontinence involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine.
Overflow Incontinence:
This occurs as frequent or constant dribbling of urine and is often a source of UTIs in children and adolescents.
Functional Incontinence:
In cases of functional incontinence, physical or cognitive impairments prevent an individual from recognizing and responding to urges in order to reach the toilet in time.
Mixed Incontinence:
Some individuals may experience a combination of different types of incontinence, such as both stress and urge incontinence.
Through a comprehensive and individualized approach, pediatric pelvic floor therapists collaborate with children, their parents, and other healthcare professionals to improve pelvic function and enhance the overall quality of life for pediatric patients.
What to expect
Occupational therapists use a comprehensive approach tailored to a child's age and specific pelvic health issues. They conduct thorough assessments, using interviews, medical history reviews, and physical examinations.
Treatment strategies encompass age-appropriate pelvic floor exercises to enhance strength and coordination, behavioral interventions for healthy pelvic function, and educational sessions for the child and family on proper development and hygiene. Our therapists integrate functional training into the plan and encourage practical application of skills in daily life.
Throughout the process, therapists prioritize a supportive environment and open communication with both the child and their family.