When you hear the term “Pelvic floor physiotherapy” you would probably first think about physiotherapy for women. However, just like adults, children have pelvic floors and can have bladder and bowel problems too!
What conditions does pelvic floor physiotherapy treat in children?
Children’s continence and pelvic floor physiotherapy includes:
- Daytime wee accidents
- Bedwetting
- Constipation
- Toilet training difficulties
What causes dysfunction in children?
The causes of pelvic floor dysfunction in children are quite different to in adults. Children’s daytime toileting concerns are frequently related to constipation, but can also be related to a desire to keep playing (after all, going to the toilet is boring!), a past painful bowel movement, a lack of awareness around pelvic sensation or other causes. There can be multiple causes!
Bedwetting can also be sometimes caused by constipation, but may also be contributed to by poor arousal from sleep, or by delayed production of antidiuretic hormone (the hormone which slows down night time urine production).
How can pelvic floor physiotherapy help?
Treatment of children is different than in women or men. Therefore, it’s important to find a pelvic floor physiotherapist who treats children.
Your child’s appointment will usually begin with a thorough history of symptoms, development and treatment so far (where relevant).
Treatment of children is noninvasive. Your physio may ask to check your child’s tummy, but typically will not need to do any other examination. Your physio will then give recommendations for treatment.
Depending on your child’s condition, treatment often includes:
- Optimization of bowel routine
- Optimization of toilet set up
- Effective use of rewards
- Ways to make the toilet more interesting for children
- Communication with relevant health professionals
- Strategies to improve diet and fluids
- Bed alarms if needed
Do you have any questions?
If you do please do not hesitate to reach out to us! Our pelvic floor physio will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Written by : Rebekah
