Pediatric Physical Therapy
Sullivan Physical Therapy specializes in the treatment of pelvic, bowel, and bladder dysfunction. However, in treating our adult patients, it is not uncommon to hear that some of these issues began years or decades ago in the patient's childhood. Many children suffer from bladder issues such daytime and nighttime urine leakage (incontinence/enuresis), stool leakage (encopresis), or chronic constipation. Unfortunately, bowel and bladder issues frequently lead to bullying, loss of self-confidence, guilt, stress and frustration throughout the family unit. Bladder and bowel issues can stem from a variety of issues, but all arise from anatomical and physiological root causes and almost always involve impaired pelvic floor control.
Treatment focuses on identifying where the problem arises by utilizing bladder and bowel diaries to track habits, education both the child and parents on anatomy, teaching what healthy habits look like, learning to use pelvic floor muscles, and providing both the child and parent carry these activities over to home. The primary purpose is to build confidence in children and patients that these are issues arising from dysfunction in their bodies, can be overcome and no longer have to rule their lives.
Treatment focuses on identifying where the problem arises by utilizing bladder and bowel diaries to track habits, education both the child and parents on anatomy, teaching what healthy habits look like, learning to use pelvic floor muscles, and providing both the child and parent carry these activities over to home. The primary purpose is to build confidence in children and patients that these are issues arising from dysfunction in their bodies, can be overcome and no longer have to rule their lives.
Pediatric patients are appropriate for physical therapy if they
are over 5 years of age and are experiencing any of the following:
- Chronic abnormal pattern of elimination, that inhibits the bladder and bowel to empty completely
- Difficulty urinating or controlling bladder function
- Frequent bladder infections
- Pain or burning with urination
- Doing the "pee pee dance"
- Constipation (Belly may appear bloated)
- Liquid or soft stool streaks in underpants
- Kidney or bladder reflux
Those seeking treatment will be under the care of Christina McGee, PT, DPT who has advanced training in pediatric bowel and bladder dysfunction. The program will help the child to experience normal sensation in bladder and rectum to identify urge, establish good muscle coordination, prevent pathology secondary to chronic holding, eliminate leakage, reduce distress to child and family about bowel and bladder issues, and establish healthy behaviors for adult bladder and bowel function.
