Developmental Physical Therapist for Infants, Children and Adolescents
| Rehabilitation | Pelvic Floor | Training | Parental Counselling | Mobility Accessories Consulting
Incontinence in children
Your child should be able to control their bowel and bladder movement once they reach the age of four. If they still struggle with these skills after that age, please contact me to know more about the metho s to address this challenge.
At the age of four, 20% of children suffer from nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) and some even from daytime urinary incontinence.
At age eleven, 5% of children will still suffer from one of these symptoms. 85% of these children will grow up to become adults who suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction (urine leaks, constipation, muscle weakness, etc.), therefore treating this condition at a young age is crucial.
A child that has reached this age and is still struggling with incontinence may have additional issues coinciding with it such as difficulty talking about their problem, denial or indifference, avoiding staying overnight at friends or relatives, negative self-image and low self-esteem.
The primary cause of wetting and incontinence may be emotional – in response to emotional challenges such as a new school, moving to a new home, a new sibling, parents divorcing or death of a relative, but the reaction is physiological and therefore should be addressed on its own merits. Physical therapy of the pelvic floor can be concurrent and in support of emotional therapy if needed.
When to seek pelvic floor physiotherapy for children?
You can apply when full control of the braces has not been achieved in children aged 4 and up:
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Urinary urination during the day
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Night wetting
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Disorders: feces, stools and feces
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constipation
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A detoxification process that is delayed or complicated
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Difficulties in controlling sphincters as part of a medical condition: illness, surgery, syndrome. Hirschsprung's disease Hirschsprung's disease, Vectors disease
If a child shows difficulty in controlling brackets, the whole family life is affected by this difficulty: avoiding going out with friends, staying out of the house even on family vacations,
Peeing and pooping will always be there and the apprehension will always accompany the child and his parents, verbally or silently, openly or covertly, waking up in the morning, going out, home, kindergarten and school.
Phenomena of nocturnal enuresis, daytime urination or vomiting (fecal incontinence without underwear) color the whole relationship in the family, with the parents, siblings, the attitude of the environment, and it mainly colors the child's self-image.
And I know your dilemma: to respond, not to respond, to let him change on his own, to help him, to repay with gifts, stickers or not at all. Even if you do not say anything or "like" do not respond it always hovers there like a cloud.
I understand your hesitation:
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What is the problem?
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Do you do?
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Do you talk about it or maybe not respond?
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How is it that he does not feel? Why does not bother him?
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He's already a big kid!
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Should I seek help? For treatment?
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Will a referral to treatment perpetuate the problem as a problem ?? (Talk about the elephant in the room ..)
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And if you do not contact the problem will be solved? (Dragon has such a thing ...)
My answer is unequivocal – you should definitely seek physical therapy of the pelvic floor. In 95% of cases, the cause is physiological even when the initial trigger is emotional. Neglected incontinence can turn into an actual condition that requires treatment.
Michal treated our 5-year-old son and we would like to warmly recommend her.
Even before our first session, Michal was very much available and professional. She listened carefully to our story and asked attentive questions.
Michal accurately identified and diagnosed the problem and gave us excellent tailored directions on how to talk with our son about this and how to work with him at home as well.
In the sessions, Michal established a connection with our son and made him feel safe. She formulated a work plan especially for him, was flexible enough to meet his limits and firm enough to lead him to perform tasks that were difficult for him.
Our son loved going to see Michal. She was able to get him on board, challenge him and talk to him eye to eye.
Michal supported and guided us through the entire process.
She was also able to refer us to additional professionals with whom she collaborated.
Michal was available at all times and always kind and professional.
Thank you so much for everything!
Sharon and Guy Miller
