Women can exercise their way to continence

BOSTON, March 24 (UPI) -- Incontinence symptoms can be helped by lifestyle changes -- especially pelvic exercises, two U.S. physical therapists say.

Cynthia Neville of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, says a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows pelvic floor muscle exercises -- also known as Kegel exercises -- and bladder training were shown to resolve or manage incontinence in women.

"This study is significant for many reasons, none more so than because it provides the highest levels of evidence to support the importance of intervention by a physical therapist who specializes in treating urinary incontinence," she says in a statement.

Patricia Jenkyns, a physical therapist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, also advises to see a physical therapist to learn about pelvic floor muscle exercises. These exercises need to be brought into daily activities and she suggests doing them while sitting at a desk, on the toilet, while driving or at the gym. For those with very weak muscles, she recommends starting the exercises while lying down.

"Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the role that physical therapists play in treating incontinence so that their patients know about alternatives to diapers, medication or surgery," Jenkyns says.