HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Laycock, J. Articles by Holmes, D. M Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Laycock, J. Articles by Holmes, D. M

The place of physiotherapy in the management of pelvic floor dysfunction

The Culgaith Clinic, Culgaith, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1QW, UK. email: Jolaycock{at}enterprise.net (corresponding author)

David M Holmes, BSc MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

St Pauls Wing, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN, UK.

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are the mainstay of physiotherapy for urinary incontinence and can be taught by all health professionals. If the patient fails to respond to a three-month course of pelvic floor exercises, or if she cannot perform a voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, biofeedback, electrical stimulation and vaginal cone therapy may be appropriate. This review discusses the evidence supporting the use of physiotherapy in the treatment of urinary incontinence. It also reports on the prevalence of the different types of urinary incontinence and describes the need for vaginal examination to determine the contractility of the pelvic floor muscles, including the PERFECT scheme.

Keywords Keywords / pelvic floor muscle assessment / pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation / physiotherapy / urinary incontinence