The Continence Restoration Program at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center was established in 1994 to treat patients experiencing difficulty with incontinence. Our Physical Therapists have been specially trained in treating patients with stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence, as well as fecal incontinence and pelvic pain.
Studies have found that behavioral methods for treating incontinence are 80 percent effective. In addition, Therapeutic Associates, Inc. network of Women’s Health Programs reports outcome measures demonstrating 72.5 percent improvement in overall condition and 70 percent improvement in quality of life.
About the Program
Patients undergo a four-week program of pelvic floor muscle retraining, biofeedback, electric stimulation and a home exercise program. Patients are also given instruction in appropriate dietary changes, voiding schedules and tools to decrease urgency and promote healthy bladder and bowel habits.
Who should come to the Continence Restoration Program?
Persons with the following conditions that have resulted in involuntary urine loss:
Program Goals
The Continence Restoration Program aims to:
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Decrease involuntary urine loss due to coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercise, etc. and minimize need for absorbent materials.
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Normalize patients voiding schedules and teach patients ways to decrease urgency.
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Teach patients a home exercise program to allow for continued improvement in maintaining continence.
Outcomes
Studies have found that physical therapy is an effective treatment to decrease pain and increase function.
Referral
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center is able to work with most insurance companies. A referral to the Continence Restoration Program can be obtained by either contacting the Rehabilitation Department or by obtaining a prescription from your physician. It is preferred that the patient undergo a urinalysis to rule out a urinary tract infection and a pelvic exam from their physician prior to scheduling an appointment.
For more information regarding the program, please call the Physical Therapy Department at (818) 953-4430.
If you do not have a physician and would like a free physician referral, call the Providence Health Resource Center at 1-888-HEALING (1-888-432-5464).
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