Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction/Incontinence Program
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant issue affecting both women and men in the general population as well as persons with neurologic disorders. On average, women do not typically tell their physicians they have challenges with incontinence until 7 years after the onset. UI is one of the primary reasons persons are placed in skilled nursing facilities. Many individuals are not aware that UI is a very treatable condition that can be addressed by a Physical Therapist.
Urinary Incontinence is often caused by pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles which provide support to the bladder, uterus, and/or prostate. When there is weakness of these supportive muscles, or pelvic floor dysfunction, it may lead to urinary or bowel incontinence, urinary frequency, sexual dysfunction, nocturia (excessive urination at night), and/or pelvic pain. Having any one of these problems may result in a loss of interest socially or may lead to decreased intimacy. The Outpatient Physical Therapy Area at Rancho Los Amigos now has resources available to evaluate and treat individuals who have issues with urinary incontinence or who are experiencing other forms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Treatment can help improve quality of life and/or improve sexual function by decreasing many of the symptoms such as urinary leakage, frequency, and/or pelvic pain.
Conservative treatment may include the use of surface electromyography (sEMG), biofeedback, education, and/or behavioral retraining. Physical therapy has demonstrated high success rates in the general population for treatment of UI, and success has also been seen in individuals with neurologic dysfunction. To optimize the success of a UI program, it is helpful for the person being treated to have a moderate level of cognitive ability. Techniques utilized in treatment (such as exercises which target the muscles in the pelvic floor) may require the ability to process more complex instructions to maximize effectiveness. For individuals with decreased cognitive function, strong family support can help these individuals develop a routine to assist with bladder retraining.
The Incontinence Program at Rancho welcomes referrals for outpatient consultation and treatment. Please have your provider submit an Outpatient Therapy Referral Form and Patient Information Form by fax to the Rancho Outpatient Referral Office at (562) 385-7604.
For appointments and appointment related inquiries please call (562) 385-7111, option #2, 3, 1.
Office hours are Monday – Friday (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
For more information:
Rancho Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Program
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
7601 E. Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242
E-mail: outpatienttherapy@dhs.lacounty.gov
Fax: (562) 385-6052
