A Case of Stress Urinary Incontinence Improved by Trunk Stability Exercise

Abstract

  For a female patient with lower back pain and stress urinary incontinence, a trunk stability exercise program was initiated. When the conventional exercise to contract pelvic floor muscles was done, the patient held her breath and tried hard to adduct and extend the hip joint. She could draw in the navel by activating transversus abdominis muscle in a relaxing position during sling exercise therapy. At the initial stage of the trunk stability exercise, the intra-abdominal pressure was adjusted by the contraction of transversus abdominis muscle and pelvic floor muscles, and by the movement of the diaphragma as had been expected. Also in the initial stage of sling exercise therapy, the unloaded body weight attached with elastic cords supported the pelvis so that she can lift her body with the shape of the lumber region maintained correctly. According to the progressive ladder principle in the sling exercise, elastic cords support gradually reduced, hip joint movement was added, and the sling on the leg changed distally. Thus, the patient suffering from stress urinary incontinence could be managed successfully by the trunk stability treatment with sling exercise therapy.