Bladder & Bowel Control

Related Conditions

The Origin Way

Improving Incontinence

What’s Happening In Your Body

Your pelvic floor muscles are responsible for supporting your bowels and bladder and controlling the sphincters that hold in poop and pee (hey, someone has to do it). Incontinence is a signal that these muscles lack strength and/or coordination.

Work 1:1 with a Physical Therapist

Your PT will help you restore strength to your pelvic floor, so leaks happen less often (or stop altogether). Treatment may include:

Techniques for connecting with your pelvic floor
Manual pelvic floor therapy
Strength & coordination exercises
Vaginal weights — yes, your vagina can lift weights

Power Up Your Pelvic Floor

On average, treatment takes 12 weekly visits, but you may notice results much sooner as you relearn how to effectively coordinate, contract, and release your pelvic floor.

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Common & Treatable

Incontinence affects 1 in 3 women, and many don’t realize that it’s 100% treatable. Pelvic physical therapy is an effective treatment for both urinary and fecal incontinence.

"My bladder controls my life."

"I can’t run or do bootcamps anymore."

"I have to pack extra underwear."

Sources: Grodstein F, et al. Association of age, race, and obstetric history with urinary symptoms among women in the Nurses' Health Study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003; Dumoulin C, et al. Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women. Braz J Phys Ther. 2019; Scott KM. Pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of fecal incontinence. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2014.

Incontinence FAQs

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary passing of urine, gas, or stool, often associated with sneezing, laughing, exercise, or the inability to make it to the bathroom in time. Whether you completely pee your pants or just leak a few drops while laughing with a full bladder, any amount of leaking is considered incontinence.

What are the different types of incontinence?

Stress incontinence (SUI) or urge incontinence (UUI) are both involuntary losses of urine. In the case of SUI, this can occur with activity like coughing, sneezing, or jumping. UUI occurs when an urge to pee occurs and you leak before making it to the bathroom. If you experience both SUI and UUI , it is called mixed incontinence. Fecal incontinence is related to involuntary loss of stool.

What are the symptoms of incontinence?

Symptoms can range from leaking drops to complete bladder emptying. Once a person experiences incontinence, this can cause them to use the bathroom much more frequently in order to avoid future accidents. Over time this can lead to changes in your voiding strategies and habits that can further impact your quality of life.

What causes incontinence?

Incontinence can occur following events like surgery, weight gain or childbirth. While many factors can be involved, incontinence is most commonly related to pelvic floor dysfunction. It can be a coordination issue, meaning your body is unable to time a contraction correctly, or a strength issue, meaning you don't have the muscle ability to prevent or delay voiding.

Why is incontinence so common during pregnancy and postpartum?

In pregnancy, increased weight gain makes the ability to contract your pelvic floor muscles quickly or with adequate strength more challenging. At the same time, your growing baby puts pressure on your bladder, which increases your body's urge to pee. During a vaginal birth, the pelvic floor muscles can experience trauma that will increase incontinence postpartum.

How long does it take to stop incontinence?

Working with a physical therapist who specializes in treating the pelvic floor has been proven effective in reducing and curing incontinence. Those who attend regular physical therapy sessions can see results within weeks to months, depending on the cause, type and severity of their incontinence, as well as the person's individual goals, like return to running.

Related Conditions

Diastasis Recti (DRA)

Dyspareunia

Interstitial Cystitis

Lower Back Pain

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Vaginismus

Vulvodynia

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What do you get?

A woman breastfeeding her baby to represent postpartum physical therapy.

Treat & Prevent Symptoms

Heal from childbirth, prevent pain, and rebuild your abs & pelvic floor.

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Feel Like Your Best Self Again

Defy "mom body" stereotypes by feeling stronger than ever.

Get Back To Activities You Love

From exercise to sex to returning to work, move with total confidence.

Covered by Insurance

Postpartum recovery shouldn’t break the bank. Learn more here.

Trusted by Doctors, Loved by New Moms

Origin provides OBGYN-recommended pelvic & whole body physical therapy that’s evidence-based and personalized to meet your needs.

100%

of OBGYNs recommend pelvic floor physical therapy postpartum

89%

of postpartum patients saw improvement in symptoms

90%

of postpartum patients recommend Origin to new moms

Expert care & support

6 visits with a pelvic floor physical therapist
Personalized exercise program, updated weekly
Educational resources prescribed for you
Tracking tools to keep you motivated
Opportunities to connect with & support other moms

Full-body recovery

Evaluate your symptoms
Heal perineal tears
Care for your Cesarean scar
Stop bladder leaks
Heal diastasis recti
Relieve pelvic pain / pain with sex
Improve bowel function
Alleviate mastitis / clogged milk ducts
Treat and prevent low back pain
Support your body for better sleep
Prevent injury while caring for baby
Return safely to exercise

What Our Patients Say About Origin

"I found Origin when I was pregnant. After having my baby, I came back to do pelvic floor work. It's been a godsend!"

Stephanie S.

Separated Abs, Pregnancy

"After my c-section, I was experiencing core weakness, SI joint and hip pain, and tightness in my scar. My PT was incredible to work with and helped me meet my goals."

Sophie S.

Postpartum, C-Section Recovery

"I'm from France, where pelvic floor care is considered crucial post-delivery, and I was so happy when I found Origin. The team is knowledgeable, professional, and thoughtful in their medical approach."

F.C.

Postpartum

"I've learned great exercises and adjustments for daily movements to reduce strain and pain. I've been delighted by how effective the virtual visits are."

Jennifer S.

Low Back Pain

As seen in

Postpartum FAQ

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary passing of urine, gas, or stool, often associated with sneezing, laughing, exercise, or the inability to make it to the bathroom in time. Whether you completely pee your pants or just leak a few drops while laughing with a full bladder, any amount of leaking is considered incontinence.

What are the different types of incontinence?

Stress incontinence (SUI) or urge incontinence (UUI) are both involuntary losses of urine. In the case of SUI, this can occur with activity like coughing, sneezing, or jumping. UUI occurs when an urge to pee occurs and you leak before making it to the bathroom. If you experience both SUI and UUI , it is called mixed incontinence. Fecal incontinence is related to involuntary loss of stool.

What are the symptoms of incontinence?

Symptoms can range from leaking drops to complete bladder emptying. Once a person experiences incontinence, this can cause them to use the bathroom much more frequently in order to avoid future accidents. Over time this can lead to changes in your voiding strategies and habits that can further impact your quality of life.

What causes incontinence?

Incontinence can occur following events like surgery, weight gain or childbirth. While many factors can be involved, incontinence is most commonly related to pelvic floor dysfunction. It can be a coordination issue, meaning your body is unable to time a contraction correctly, or a strength issue, meaning you don't have the muscle ability to prevent or delay voiding.

Why is incontinence so common during pregnancy and postpartum?

In pregnancy, increased weight gain makes the ability to contract your pelvic floor muscles quickly or with adequate strength more challenging. At the same time, your growing baby puts pressure on your bladder, which increases your body's urge to pee. During a vaginal birth, the pelvic floor muscles can experience trauma that will increase incontinence postpartum.

How long does it take to stop incontinence?

Working with a physical therapist who specializes in treating the pelvic floor has been proven effective in reducing and curing incontinence. Those who attend regular physical therapy sessions can see results within weeks to months, depending on the cause, type and severity of their incontinence, as well as the person's individual goals, like return to running.

Related Conditions

Diastasis Recti (DRA)

Dyspareunia

Interstitial Cystitis

Lower Back Pain

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Vaginismus

Vulvodynia