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Let’s Talk About Bladder Leaks
Bladder leaks are not pleasant, but by looking at contributing factors including past pregnancies, race, hysterectomy, etc., we can often treat it successfully with a variety of effective rememdies depending on your history. With the large number of women in America and around the world who could be considered "baby boomers", it's no surprise that BabyBoomers.com reached out to me to write this guest blog post. Here is a brief synopsis of the article with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat

Babyboomers.com Says "Let’s Talk About Bladder Leaks", So Here We Go!

For many women, aging can present a variety of expected and unexpected hormonal and physical changes, including bladder leaks.

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I frequently see women come in with questions regarding bladder leaks and how to strengthen their pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is located between your tailbone and the pubic bone, and it plays an important role in supporting the bladder, bowel, uterus and vagina.

The truth is, 1 in 3 women experience bladder leaks, yet many women are still embarrassed to talk about leaks with their doctors, friends or family. Incontinence can have many contributing factors including past pregnancies, race, hysterectomy, weight, genetics and muscle weakness.

The article covers some techniques and treatments that I recommend for managing bladder leaks so that you can continue to live life and pursue fun activities without worrying about leaks. The key areas covered include:

  1. Know how to Identify Bladder Leaks
  2. Visit a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist
  3. Practice These Exercises to Engage the Pelvic Floor
  4. Find The Right Products to Manage Leaks

Click here to continue to the full article on bladder leaks and what to do about them, and of course we are always here to help when you are ready to schedule an appointment with one of our therapists.

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What Our Patients Have to Say

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Testimonial by P.M.

I was hopeful but frankly skeptical when the doctor treating me for Interstitial Cystitis recommended that I go to Heather for physical therapy. Medication and diet helped control my IC symptoms, but I had never heard of physical therapy being used to treat IC. The education and treatment I received from Heather was a revelation. She explained that the pain I experienced with IC had helped create a cycle of muscle guarding which affected the entire pelvic area. I had no idea of the amount of tension being held there. No wonder my husband and I had not been able to have sexual intercourse for years!

Read more: Testimonial by P.M.

Testimonial by Jamie M.

I have been going to see Heather for a while now, and I can't tell you enough how much she has improved my quality of life. Heather specializes in issues like pelvic floor, but I see her for other orthopedic issues.

I have a lot of chronic joint pain and dysfunction issues (back, hips, neck) that require that have ongoing physical therapy maintenance. The effects of my problem joints/areas overlap and interconnect with each other in complex ways, so helping me requires really having a complete understanding of the entire skeletal and muscular system. Pain does not always appear where the problem actually is, the human body is a twisty, many-layered puzzle. I have an exercise program I do at home and I am very functional, but there are just something things I need a PT to help me out with.

Read more: Testimonial by Jamie M.

Testimonial by Rosanna R., age 35

Heather has affected my life in the MOST POSITIVE way and I am forever grateful. My husband refers to her as the "sex doctor" so you can only imagine how happy he is with my therapy outcome.

After the birth of my son I suffered from "Vaginismus", however, at the time I just thought I was broken. My "broken vagina" affected me physically but it was an emotional struggle as well. Many women in my life also suffered with pain from sex after their babies were born so I knew I wasn't alone. They told me they "just got used to it" but I couldn't see myself living that way.

Sex wasn't just painful, it was literally impossible - IT DIDNT FIT!

Read more: Testimonial by Rosanna R.,...

Testimonial by Alexandra B.

Heather is without exaggerating AMAZING! After years of trouble with a certain part of my body, in no time, she made everything change back to equilibrium and to what would be considered normal. She explains everything in detail and therefore gives you a better understanding of why things are the way they are, and how you can work towards turning things around. I would highly recommend Heather for any type of Physical Therapy. She has created her own "Method/Therapy" through years of studying (with some of the greatest practitioners), practice and breaking down the issues of her past patients, enabling her to fine tune her own system. I'm so thankful to have found her, and I'm especially grateful for the quick recovery I've achieved, after years of distress. If you cannot afford her, I recommend you purchase her book. Although it may not be Heather in person, it can still help you to get on the right path to recovery!

-- Alexandra B., 5/20/2015 via Yelp!

Testimonial by R.H.

No one could tell me why I was having pain during sex--sharp pain, not just uncomfortable, pain. I was referred to Heather Jeffcoat after researching several different options. I had seen a specialist who told me physical therapy would not help and my only option was surgery. I really didn't want to go that route, so when we got a referral, I decided to try it--it can't hurt, I thought. I am so glad I did. She diagnosed the problem right away, which was a relief in itself.

To know why I was having pain eased my mind immensely. And to hear that she could fix it without surgery was another relief. She said she could fix the problem in 6 weeks. I think it was actually 4 for me. She was very methodical, and treated me as an intelligent human being capable of participating in my own recovery. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone. She did not try to prolong my session numbers, she worked hard to accommodate my schedule (and the fact that I had to bring a baby to sessions), and she was completely honest the entire time. It is so hard to find someone with these characteristics, much less a professional who is so good at what she does. She has my highest respect.

-- R.H.

Testimonial by Jackie W.

I was in multiple car accidents a decade ago, and I have been to many physical therapists through the years without success. They found the root of my lower back pain problems and after nearly a decade of barely being able to walk I finally can again without pain. They are also the best pelvic floor pts and the only ones who found the connection between my pelvic floor and lower back problems. If you need help with physical pain, they are your answer.

-- Jackie W., 1/19/17 via Yelp!

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Tuesday 7:00-6:00
Wednesday 7:00-6:00
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