What To Do Besides Kegels If You Have Bladder Leakage With Running

All we hear about pelvic floor issues and bladder leakage is to do kegels.

But what does the research show helps with bladder leakage with running?

In this article, interestingly, the kegel strength between the bladder leakage group and the kegel group was not significantly different.

What they did find was that there was a leg strength difference.

The group who had bladder leakage had a bigger difference in strength between their dominant and non-dominant leg than those who didn't have bladder leakage.

What does that mean?

If you have bladder leakage you should spend more time getting your legs stronger. You should also do more single leg exercises.

I find this in my patients, too. A lot of my patients who have bladder leakage with running also have sciatica or hip pain which they have just dealt with, but those other pains are causing one leg to be significantly weaker than the other.

For my patients in the clinic, once we can get their other leg issues resolved, then their bladder leakage also subsides.

So, if you have bladder leakage with running and kegels haven't helped, try doing more leg strengthening exercises.

Also, see a pelvic floor therapist who can assess you either virtually or in person to give you a specific program.

You can schedule an appointment with me here.

Reference:

Hartigan, Erin PT, DPT, PhD1; McAuley, J. Adrienne PT, DPT, MEd1; Lawrence, Michael MS1; Brucker, Willis PT, DPT2; King, Adam PT, DPT3; Tryon, Brooks PT, DPT4; DeSilva, Mary ScD, MS1. Hip Angles, Joint Moments, and Muscle Activity During Gait in Women With and Without Self-reported Stress Urinary Incontinence. Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy 44(3):p 107-116, July/September 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/JWH.0000000000000166