Whether you are in hospital or need to see a Physiotherapist in the community, Active Rehab has Physiotherapists with a broad range of expertise in men’s health.

Pelvic Floor & Continence

Did you know that 1 in 8 Australian men will suffer from urinary incontinence at sometime throughout their life and 1 in 5 Australian men will suffer from faecal incontinence? Incontinence is not just a ‘women’s problem’ – it is a widespread condition ranging in severity from ‘just a small leak’ to complete loss of bladder or bowel control. The good news is – incontinence can be treated, managed, and in many cases cured!

If you experience bladder or bowel problems, but are unsure whether to seek help, consider the following questions:

• Do you have an after-dribble – loss of a small amount of extra urine after going to the toilet?
• Do you sometimes leak when you cough, sneeze or lift something heavy?
• Do you sometimes leak when you play sport or exercise?
• Do you have to rush to the toilet?
• Do you have a hesitant, interrupted or weak stream of urine?
• Do you go to the toilet more than twice during the night?
• Do you feel like you cannot completely empty your bladder?
• Do you soil your underwear?
• Are you experiencing incontinence after recent prostate surgery?
• Have you been diagnosed with an overactive bladder or a nerve condition affecting your bladder?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a bladder or bowel control problem. Speak with your GP or one of our Men’s Health Physiotherapists to discuss your symptoms.

Active Rehab has specifically trained Physiotherapists who can diagnose and treat continence problems in men. Your assessment may involve:

• Completion of questionnaires regarding your symptoms
• Keeping a short diary on the timing of your symptoms and toileting
• Assessment of your pelvic floor muscle strength.

Your Physiotherapist will create a treatment program with you, which may include:

• Identifying your pelvic floor muscles using Diagnostic Ultrasound and/or Urostym technology
• Specific exercises for pelvic floor muscle strengthening and endurance
• Teaching good bladder and bowel habits to help you manage your symptoms
• Strategies for incontinence management
• Holistic exercises to assist your general health and well-being

In-Hospital Rehabilitation following Prostate Surgery

Your doctor may request a consultation from our Active Rehab Physiotherapist following your prostate surgery. This usually occurs on the first day after your procedure.

Initial treatment may include:

• Deep Breathing and Circulation Exercises: to prevent common complications after surgery.
• Bed Mobility Advice: providing you with strategies to gently move in bed without straining your wound.
• Mobilisation: assisting you to walk safely.
• Specific Exercise Program: As you recover, more specific exercises and advice may be provided including pelvic floor muscle exercises.
• Discharge Planning: planning and advice for your recovery at home.

Outpatient Physiotherapy

On occasions, ongoing physiotherapy treatment may be required after discharge from hospital, particularly if you are experiencing complications such as incontinence. Urinary incontinence is experienced by many men following prostate surgery or other treatment of prostate cancer. This is a common problem, but can be one of the most difficult things to cope with during your recovery. Most men will regain their bladder control with time, but it can often take 6-12 months. Physiotherapy treatment may help you manage and regain your bladder control much faster.

Active Rehab’s Men’s Health Physiotherapists work closely with Urologists to help provide you with the most up-to-date care, so you can optimise your recovery. Some urologists even suggest that you arrange a pre-operative assessment with our Men’s Health Physiotherapist to help you build your pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance before your surgery. Whether pre- or post-surgery, a consultation with an Active Rehab Physiotherapist may increase your ability to manage and treat urinary incontinence.

Ultrasound & Urostym Technology

Active Rehabilitation Physiotherapy has advanced technology for the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence. Active Rehab is the only facility in Australia with this range of cutting edge technology.

Using a Diagnostic Ultrasound, your Physiotherapist can help you identify your pelvic floor and other core muscles that assist in the management of bladder and bowel issues. Ultrasound allows you to actually see your own muscles working and helps you to learn the correct muscle action.

The Urostym system is a non-invasive, computerised biofeedback system for treatment of pelvic floor disorders and incontinence in men, women and children. Using small electronic receivers placed on the skin of the pelvic region, the system is able to measure pelvic floor muscle activity. Specially-trained Physiotherapists use this information to tailor specific treatment for continence disorders.

The Urostym system is also used as a training device. Information from the pelvic muscle receivers is displayed on-screen in real-time and can be used during a program of exercises. Adults can use the system as a training program, similar to that for a treadmill or cycling program – your muscle effort is tracked against your goals for strength, speed and coordination.