May 2022 Newsletter
Considerations for Bladder Management
Many people often feel embarrassed or discouraged by persistent urinary frequency, leakage, urgency or bladder pain. You may have tried adjusting fluid intake, reducing bladder irritant consumption, or bladder training but it just hasn’t helped. Sometimes starting with other underlying factors may make the aforementioned techniques more successful. Here are some factors to consider.
What medications are you taking? Side effects from high blood pressure drugs, diuretics, heart medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, antihistamines and sedatives can potentially contribute to urinary dysfunction. As always, please follow up with your prescribing physician before altering dosage or discontinuing altogether.
Do you smoke? Research shows that people who smoke are more likely to have bladder control problems. More importantly, chronic coughing as a result from heavy smoking can place undue pressure on the bladder, further aggravating urinary leakage.
How often do you have a bowel movement? When we have infrequent or incomplete bowel movements, buildup of stool in the rectum can limit the amount of space the bladder can fill due to its close proximity. Additionally, if you are straining to have a bowel movement, excess pressure to the pelvic floor and bladder may worsen urinary leakage.
What does your exercise activity look like? Some studies show that regular physical activity can improve bladder function, as this provides activation of the pelvic floor and encourages strength. If you don’t have a regular routine, start with walking for 10 minute intervals, working your way up to 30 minutes at a time, most days a week. Talk to a pelvic floor therapist to consider other management techniques for improved bladder control.
What medications are you taking? Side effects from high blood pressure drugs, diuretics, heart medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, antihistamines and sedatives can potentially contribute to urinary dysfunction. As always, please follow up with your prescribing physician before altering dosage or discontinuing altogether.
Do you smoke? Research shows that people who smoke are more likely to have bladder control problems. More importantly, chronic coughing as a result from heavy smoking can place undue pressure on the bladder, further aggravating urinary leakage.
How often do you have a bowel movement? When we have infrequent or incomplete bowel movements, buildup of stool in the rectum can limit the amount of space the bladder can fill due to its close proximity. Additionally, if you are straining to have a bowel movement, excess pressure to the pelvic floor and bladder may worsen urinary leakage.
What does your exercise activity look like? Some studies show that regular physical activity can improve bladder function, as this provides activation of the pelvic floor and encourages strength. If you don’t have a regular routine, start with walking for 10 minute intervals, working your way up to 30 minutes at a time, most days a week. Talk to a pelvic floor therapist to consider other management techniques for improved bladder control.
SPT Spotlight
Jenny Rogers, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Jenny attended Texas A&M where she received her Bachelors in Kinesiology in 3 years. She then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Hardin-Simmons University.
Combining her contagious joy and her heart for healing people emotionally and physically, Jenny has found a professional field she adores in pelvic floor therapy. In this setting, she gets to normalize conversations about pelvic pain and discomfort our culture has unfortunately made taboo, walk women and men through their healing journey, and interact with patients whose stories she’s eager to hear. At the end of the day, she wants her patients to know that they are not alone in their situation and there is a way to help.
Jenny is a member of American Physical Therapy Association and has taken continuing education courses for dry needling and several on pelvic floor diagnosis’ and treatments. She completed her last clinical rotation at Sullivan Physical Therapy which allowed her to expand her knowledge of pelvic floor physical therapy.
A native of Amarillo, Texas Jenny and her husband did whatever they could to move to Austin and enjoy the surrounding lakes, trails, and food scene. When she’s not at work you can find her training for a Half-Iron Man, begging her husband for a dog, or laughing on the porch with close friends.
Combining her contagious joy and her heart for healing people emotionally and physically, Jenny has found a professional field she adores in pelvic floor therapy. In this setting, she gets to normalize conversations about pelvic pain and discomfort our culture has unfortunately made taboo, walk women and men through their healing journey, and interact with patients whose stories she’s eager to hear. At the end of the day, she wants her patients to know that they are not alone in their situation and there is a way to help.
Jenny is a member of American Physical Therapy Association and has taken continuing education courses for dry needling and several on pelvic floor diagnosis’ and treatments. She completed her last clinical rotation at Sullivan Physical Therapy which allowed her to expand her knowledge of pelvic floor physical therapy.
A native of Amarillo, Texas Jenny and her husband did whatever they could to move to Austin and enjoy the surrounding lakes, trails, and food scene. When she’s not at work you can find her training for a Half-Iron Man, begging her husband for a dog, or laughing on the porch with close friends.
Nutritional Summer Series
This summer, Sullivan Physical Therapy is teaming up with Varian Hans to offer a series of nutritional topics for our patients and the community. We would love for you to join us.
Surviving The Texas Heat With Herbs and Food - May 23
Anybody who's experienced a Texas summer knows how suffocating the heat can be. If you're prone to winding up on the summer struggle bus and avoiding the trek across a parking lot or a walk around the block, join us for this webinar. You'll learn some amazing herbal and dietary allies that can help cool you from the inside out. So whether you're a native Texan or you just arrived, you'll gain some powerful information that will make the heat bearable.
How To Navigate Your Summer Sweet Tooth - June 13
Are you unable to resist a large helping of ice cream, popsicles, or snow cones? Summer sweets are certainly a fun part of the season and festivities but they can leave you feeling zapped for reasons beyond that sunburn. If you're finding yourself with increased sugar cravings, hangry in between meals, and tired after that BBQ, join us for a summer sweet tooth webinar. You'll learn some amazing hacks that will help support your glucose spikes without having to resign yourself from the summer fun.
How To Pack A Nourishing Summer Ice Chest - July 18
Do you have a full day of summer fun ahead of you? Learn how to pack an ice chest that will leave you and your family well-fed and ready for festivities. Long gone are the days of sugar-high kiddos (or adults) that wind up crashing and melting down at the waterpark. Attendees will receive a cookbook perfect for picnics, amusement parks, and road trips.
How To Reduce The Likelihood of Sunburns and How To Recover From One With Food - August 22
Did you know that your diet may reduce the chances of becoming a tomato in the summer sun? That's not to say you'll be able to completely abandon sunscreen or hats, but your skin and its health are greatly influenced by your diet. Attendees will learn the nutrients required for healthy summer skin and how to recover in case the sun gets the better of them.
Anybody who's experienced a Texas summer knows how suffocating the heat can be. If you're prone to winding up on the summer struggle bus and avoiding the trek across a parking lot or a walk around the block, join us for this webinar. You'll learn some amazing herbal and dietary allies that can help cool you from the inside out. So whether you're a native Texan or you just arrived, you'll gain some powerful information that will make the heat bearable.
How To Navigate Your Summer Sweet Tooth - June 13
Are you unable to resist a large helping of ice cream, popsicles, or snow cones? Summer sweets are certainly a fun part of the season and festivities but they can leave you feeling zapped for reasons beyond that sunburn. If you're finding yourself with increased sugar cravings, hangry in between meals, and tired after that BBQ, join us for a summer sweet tooth webinar. You'll learn some amazing hacks that will help support your glucose spikes without having to resign yourself from the summer fun.
How To Pack A Nourishing Summer Ice Chest - July 18
Do you have a full day of summer fun ahead of you? Learn how to pack an ice chest that will leave you and your family well-fed and ready for festivities. Long gone are the days of sugar-high kiddos (or adults) that wind up crashing and melting down at the waterpark. Attendees will receive a cookbook perfect for picnics, amusement parks, and road trips.
How To Reduce The Likelihood of Sunburns and How To Recover From One With Food - August 22
Did you know that your diet may reduce the chances of becoming a tomato in the summer sun? That's not to say you'll be able to completely abandon sunscreen or hats, but your skin and its health are greatly influenced by your diet. Attendees will learn the nutrients required for healthy summer skin and how to recover in case the sun gets the better of them.
If you are interested in attending one or all of these virtual sessions or receive the recording,
please email us at sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
please email us at sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
Research Roundup
Certain Voicing Tasks Improve Balance in Postpartum Women Compared With Nulliparous Women
Rudavsky, Aliza; Hickox, Lauren; Frame, Megan; Philtron, Daisy; Massery, Mary.
Multifaceted Physical Therapy Approach in Male Adolescent With Coccydynia: A Case Report
Knepper, Lauren.
The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom-Related Distress Kimberley T. Johnson, Paula G. Williams, Audra J. Hill
Rehabilitation of the Postpartum Runner: A 4-Phase Approach
Shefali Mathur Christopher, Sandra Gallagher, Amanda Olson, Sara Cichowski, Rita E. Deering
Nurses' Perspectives of the Need for Physical Therapy Services During an Acute Postpartum Stay: A Focus Group Kate Divine, Paige Duvall, Lenzie Weicht, Karen Abraham
From the Core to the Floor—Utilizing a Webinar to Provide Pelvic Health Education
Cara Morrison, Angela Pereira, Kim Masuda, Kari Bargstadt-Wilson, Julie Peterson, Kailey Snyder
Pelvic Floor Mobility Measured by Transperineal Ultrasound Imaging in Women With and Without Urgency and Frequency Predominant Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Stefanie N. Foster, Theresa M. Spitznagle, Lori J. Tuttle, Jerry L. Lowder, Siobhan Sutcliffe, Karen Steger-May, Chiara Ghetti, Jinli Wang, Taylor Burlis, Melanie R. Meister, Michael J. Mueller, Marcie Harris-Hayes
Rudavsky, Aliza; Hickox, Lauren; Frame, Megan; Philtron, Daisy; Massery, Mary.
Multifaceted Physical Therapy Approach in Male Adolescent With Coccydynia: A Case Report
Knepper, Lauren.
The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom-Related Distress Kimberley T. Johnson, Paula G. Williams, Audra J. Hill
Rehabilitation of the Postpartum Runner: A 4-Phase Approach
Shefali Mathur Christopher, Sandra Gallagher, Amanda Olson, Sara Cichowski, Rita E. Deering
Nurses' Perspectives of the Need for Physical Therapy Services During an Acute Postpartum Stay: A Focus Group Kate Divine, Paige Duvall, Lenzie Weicht, Karen Abraham
From the Core to the Floor—Utilizing a Webinar to Provide Pelvic Health Education
Cara Morrison, Angela Pereira, Kim Masuda, Kari Bargstadt-Wilson, Julie Peterson, Kailey Snyder
Pelvic Floor Mobility Measured by Transperineal Ultrasound Imaging in Women With and Without Urgency and Frequency Predominant Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Stefanie N. Foster, Theresa M. Spitznagle, Lori J. Tuttle, Jerry L. Lowder, Siobhan Sutcliffe, Karen Steger-May, Chiara Ghetti, Jinli Wang, Taylor Burlis, Melanie R. Meister, Michael J. Mueller, Marcie Harris-Hayes
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
- On April 8 through 9, the physical therapists became Trauma Informed Certified. We have partnered with Hope for the Journey to learn more about trauma, recognizing trauma, how to respond to people with trauma in a purposeful way and how to take care of ourselves.
- Sullivan Physical Therapy loves having physical therapy students. We feel passionate about spreading the knowledge of pelvic health physical therapy. We currently have a student, Katelynn Gatica, from UT Medical Branch.
- On April 23, Kimia Kardan gave a presentation on pelvic organ prolapse to Club Pilates in Cedar Park.
- On May 30, our clinics will be closed in observation of the Memorial Day Holiday.
- Our schedules are open through June 3, 2022. If you would like to schedule please call or email us.
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