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Understanding the Different Types of Incontinence – And How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help

  • Writer: Carly Gossard
    Carly Gossard
  • May 13
  • 3 min read

World Continence Week Spotlight from Your Pelvic Therapy Team


Each year during World Continence Week, we come together to raise awareness about a topic that affects millions of people, incontinence. Despite how common it is, many still suffer in silence. At our pelvic therapy practice, we want you to know that incontinence is not something you just have to live with. There is hope, conservative treatment, and we’re here to help.


Let’s walk through the different types of incontinence and how we, as pelvic therapy specialists, can support you on the journey to better bladder and bowel health.



1. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

What it is: Leaking urine during activities that put pressure on the bladder, like coughing, sneezing, laughing, running, or jumping.


Common causes:

  • Weak or uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles (often after childbirth, menopause or post-protatectomy)

  • Hormonal changes

  • Surgical history


How we help: We design individualized pelvic therapy programs that may include:

  • Pelvic floor muscle training (relaxation and/or strengthening)

  • Core and breath coordination work

  • Postural and movement retraining

  • Targeting and functional strengthening specific to your needs and goals!


2. Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI)

What it is: A sudden, overwhelming need to urinate followed by leakage sometimes with little warning and even when the bladder isn’t full.


Common causes:

  • Overactive bladder or pelvic floor muscles

  • Nerve dysfunction

  • Behavioral or sensory triggers (e.g., running water, walking into a cold room)


How we help: We focus on retraining the bladder and calming the nervous system through:

  • Bladder retraining schedules

  • Urge suppression strategies (including breathwork and grounding techniques)

  • Manual therapy to address pelvic tension

  • Lifestyle coaching around fluid intake and bladder irritants


3. Mixed Urinary Incontinence (MUI)

What it is: A combination of both stress and urge incontinence symptoms.


How we help: With a blended approach, we tailor your pelvic therapy to address the unique mix of symptoms you’re experiencing. We assess how your muscles, habits, and nervous system are working together, and build a plan that meets you where you are.


4. Overflow Incontinence

What it is: Constant dribbling or frequent leakage because the bladder doesn’t empty fully.


Common causes:

  • Nerve dysfunction

  • Obstructed flow (such as from prolapse or an enlarged prostate)

  • Weak pelvic floor muscles


How we help: We focus on improving emptying strategies and pelvic coordination with techniques like:

  • Voiding posture education

  • Muscle relaxation strategies

  • Behavioral training and mobility work

  • Collaboration with your medical team for underlying issues


5. Functional Incontinence

What it is: Leakage caused by barriers to reaching the toilet in time, rather than a direct bladder issue.


How we help: We address the whole picture—including physical, environmental, and cognitive factors—with:

  • Strength and balance training

  • Gait and mobility support

  • Home/environmental modifications

  • Scheduled voiding routines and support tools


Why We Do This Work

Pelvic therapy is so much more than just Kegels. We look at your full-body movement patterns, your breath, your daily routines, and your story. We know how incontinence can affect your confidence, your relationships, and your quality of life. We’re passionate about helping you find freedom again.


Let’s Talk About It – For World Continence Week

This World Continence Week, we invite you to be part of the conversation. Let’s break the stigma. Let’s talk about bladder and bowel health openly. If you or someone you love is experiencing incontinence, please know you are not alone and you do not have to navigate it without support.

We’re here. We’re trained. And we’re ready to help you take back control, one step at a time.



References

  • Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith EJC, Mac Habée-Séguin G. (2014). Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub3

  • Hashim H, Abrams P. (2006). Overactive bladder: current results and future prospects. British Journal of Urology International, 97(4):779–785. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06052.x

  • Dumoulin C, Adewuyi T, Booth J, et al. (2018). Conservative management for female urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse review: Summary of the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 37(6):S17–S23. doi:10.1002/nau.23551

  • Berghmans B, Hendriks E, Bernards A, de Bie R, van Waalwijk van Doorn E. (2013). Conservative treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. British Journal of Urology International, 111(3): 321–334. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11378.x

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2019). Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management. NICE guideline [NG123]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng123

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