How to Manage Leaks During Cold & Flu Season: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Tips
How to Manage Leaks During Cold & Flu Season: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Tips
Coughing and sneezing are common during cold and flu season, but for many, they bring an unwelcome challenge: urinary leaks. If this sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone. Leaks caused by increased pressure on the pelvic floor can be managed, and with the right techniques and pelvic floor physical therapy, you can regain control and confidence. Read on for expert-backed tips to support your pelvic floor health and reduce leaks this season.
1. The Role of Posture in Pelvic Floor Health Did you know your posture significantly affects your pelvic floor? Many people unknowingly adopt a sway-back posture, where the ribs fall out of alignment with the pelvis. This misalignment disrupts the balance in your abdominal canister, increasing pressure on the pelvic floor and contributing to leaks.
What You Can Do:
Focus on maintaining proper posture by stacking your ribs directly over your pelvis.
Especially during moments of high intra-abdominal pressure, like when you cough or sneeze, this alignment helps evenly distribute pressure and reduce strain on your pelvic floor.
2. Pelvic Floor Muscle Engagement for Leak Prevention Pelvic floor physical therapy often emphasizes strengthening and activating the pelvic floor muscles to manage leaks. One effective technique is to perform a strong contraction of the pelvic floor muscles just before you cough or sneeze.
How to Engage Your Pelvic Floor:
As you feel a cough or sneeze coming on, quickly squeeze and lift your pelvic floor muscles.
This preemptive action can provide the extra support needed to minimize or prevent leakage.
3. Addressing the "Common but Not Normal" Myth Leaks during sneezing or coughing are often dismissed as a normal part of life, but they don’t have to be. Pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable, and with guidance from a pelvic floor physical therapist, you can develop the tools to strengthen your muscles, improve alignment, and regain control.
Why Choose Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:
Learn tailored exercises to target your specific needs.
Address underlying causes of leaks with professional guidance.
Gain confidence in managing symptoms with expert support.
Cold and flu season doesn’t have to mean living with leaks. By maintaining proper posture and engaging your pelvic floor muscles, you can take proactive steps to manage symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a comprehensive approach to treating leaks and improving your overall pelvic health. Don’t let leaks hold you back—help is available.
Click here to learn how you can stop leaks, starting with a Pelvic Health Assessment!
