Scientific research, including a Cochrane Review by Dumoulin et al. from 2018 that reviewed the information in 31 research trials, concludes there is grade A or high-quality evidence to support the use of pelvic floor muscle training to treat stress urinary incontinence or the urinary leaking that occurs with cough or a sneeze. There is grade B support or slightly less supportive evidence for pelvic floor muscle training to treat urinary urge incontinence. Please check out our other blog post that dives a little deeper into conservative treatments for urge incontinence.

The strength training principles are used for pelvic floor strengthening protocols similar to any other musculoskeletal strength training program. Guidelines suggest the use of both concentric and eccentric contraction in training, proper muscle isolation, with recommended training plans with 6-8 weeks duration to improve muscle hypertrophy. Functional training with pelvic floor muscle strengthening was also highly recommended. A pelvic floor physical therapist is trained specifically to assess and create an individualized strengthening program based on their findings.

If you are experiencing signs of pelvic floor weakness such as urinary leaking or pelvic heaviness, please contact us or schedule an appointment with one of our pelvic floor specialists at MEND.