St. Joseph-Breese now offering Women's Continence program

Sneezing or laughing, shopping or travel: all are cause for concern for the 11 million American women affected by urinary incontinence.

Many women have stopped participating in activities because of the potential for embarrassment and many do not seek help because they believe the situation is inevitable or the result of aging.

Help may be available, however, through the new Women's Continence program offered by the Physical Therapy Department at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese.

Physical Therapist Maggie Timmermann, who recently completed training through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehab Institute in Oak Brook, is now treating urinary incontinence and pelvic pain. Timmermann is a graduate of the Physical Therapy program at Maryville University in St. Louis, has 11 years of experience, specializes in women's health and is additionally trained in prenatal and post-partum exercise.

According to Timmermann, the most common type of leakage is stress incontinence which occurs during normal activities such as exercising, reaching, sneezing, coughing, laughing or even getting up from a chair.

Women may also experience urge incontinence, also known as an overactive bladder, which occurs when the brain signals the bladder to empty even though it may contain only a small amount, she said. Some women experience a combination of both.

"No matter what the type, incontinence is a problem when you quit doing the things you want to do," she said. "Some women's lives revolve around their need to use the restroom and others just stay home because they are embarrassed. This doesn't have to be the case."

Most urinary incontinence is caused by problems with the muscles that hold and release urine, Timmermann said. Muscle weakness, hormonal changes, infection, chronic cough, repetitive lifting, pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, obesity, poor bladder habits and diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy can affect these muscles and cause a problem.

"Because many women experience urinary incontinence as they grow older, they think it is part of the aging process but it doesn't have to be," she said.

Urinary incontinence is a common condition that can usually be treated with physical therapy, Timmermann said. Treatments include patient education, muscle re-education, strengthening exercises, biofeedback and electrical stimulation.

Medication and surgical procedures can also be used to treat urinary incontinence but the National Institutes of Health recommends trying non-invasive treatments first, she said.

A continence program is considered a skilled physical therapy service and is generally covered by insurance, she said. The patient's provider can answer specific questions about coverage.

A woman interested in the program should first see her personal physician to rule out any medical issues. A physician's referral is needed to begin.

For more information and/or an appointment, contact Physical Therapy at St. Joseph's in Breese at 618.526-5436.