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Incontinence affects four out of 10 women, about one out of 10 men, and about 17% of children below age 15. The most common reason for admitting a family member to a nursing home is the family's inability to cope with incontinence. It is estimated that in the US incontinence costs 26 billion dollars a year.

While it is common to exercise many parts of the body to stay fit, very little attention is paid to exercising the pelvic floor. Many exercises exist for the general fitness of the body, strengthening of the arms and legs and the abdominal and back muscles. Finding fun exercises for the pelvic floor involves searching through a great deal of literature; finding exercises suitable for men, women, and children that are fun and effective appears to be impossible.

This book should provide therapists with treatment ideas and encourage patients to ask for help. It focuses on exercises and discusses other treatment options.

Fitness for the Pelvic Floor

Treatment Options and Exercises for Improvement of Physical and Sexual Health
Introduction
Part I Anatomy and Physiology of the Pelvic Floor
1 Introduction
2 Layers of the Pelvic Floor
3 Evaluation of Breathing
4 Bladder and Bowel Voiding Diary
5 Bladder and Bowel Incontinence
Part II Treatment Options and Exercises
6 The Pelvic Floor - The Forgotten Muscle
7 Sensory Awareness - Feeling the Pelvic Floor
8 Exercises to Increase Sensory Awareness of the Pelvic Floor
9 Breathing Evaluation and Treatment of Breathing Dysfunction
10 Treatment with Functional Exercises
11 Functional Exercises for the Pelvic Floor
12 Stretching Exercises for the Muscles Surrounding the Pelvic Floor
Appendix
Physical Therapy Evaluation of Female Incontinence
Physical Therapy Evaluation of Male Incontinence
Physical Therapy Evaluation of Male Patients Scheduled for or Post Prostate Surgery
Re-evaluation Post Prostate Surgery