Pelvic Floor Therapy for Incontinence

Stop Embarrassing Bladder Leaks with Pelvic Floor Therapy for Incontinence

Laughing with friends, sneezing during allergy season, picking up a child, or even just standing up too quickly — for millions of women, any one of these everyday moments can trigger an unexpected and embarrassing bladder leak. Urinary incontinence is one of the most common women’s health conditions in the country, yet many women never seek treatment because they assume it is simply a normal part of aging, childbirth, or menopause. It is not. Bladder leaks are a treatable medical condition, and pelvic floor therapy for incontinence is one of the most effective, noninvasive, and evidence-based solutions available.

Pelvic floor therapy addresses the root cause of incontinence by restoring strength, coordination, and function to the muscles that support the bladder and control urination. At Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy in Santa Fe, NM, our licensed physical therapist and pelvic floor therapy specialist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT provides individualized, compassionate care that helps women regain control over their bladder — and reclaim the confidence to live their lives without fear of leaks.

What Causes Incontinence in Women?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that form a supportive hammock-like structure at the base of the pelvis. These muscles hold the bladder, uterus, and rectum in their proper positions and play a critical role in controlling the release of urine. When the pelvic floor muscles become weakened, stretched, or dysfunctional, they can no longer provide adequate support or maintain the closure mechanisms that prevent urine from leaking at inappropriate times.

A wide range of factors can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence in women. Pregnancy and vaginal delivery are among the most common causes, as the weight of the growing baby and the physical demands of childbirth can significantly stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles. Hormonal changes during menopause also play a role, as declining estrogen levels can thin the tissues of the urethra and reduce the elasticity and strength of the pelvic floor. According to the American Urological Association, other contributing factors include chronic coughing, obesity, repetitive heavy lifting, pelvic surgery, and certain neurological conditions.

At Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy in Santa Fe, NM, our experienced pelvic floor therapy specialist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT conducts a comprehensive evaluation to identify the specific factors contributing to each patient’s incontinence. Understanding the root cause is essential because different types of incontinence require different treatment approaches, and a one-size-fits-all strategy rarely produces the best results.

What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy for Incontinence?

Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on rehabilitating the muscles, connective tissues, and nerves of the pelvic floor. Unlike general physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy requires advanced training in the unique anatomy and function of the pelvic region, as well as the ability to assess and treat conditions that are deeply personal and often difficult for patients to discuss openly. A skilled pelvic floor therapist creates a safe, supportive, and private environment where patients can feel comfortable addressing their concerns.

During a pelvic floor therapy session, the therapist evaluates the strength, tone, endurance, and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles through a combination of external and, when appropriate, internal assessment. Based on these findings, the therapist develops a customized treatment plan that may include targeted strengthening exercises, muscle retraining techniques, manual therapy, relaxation strategies, and education on bladder habits and lifestyle modifications. Research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has consistently demonstrated that pelvic floor therapy is a highly effective first-line treatment for urinary incontinence, producing significant improvements in the majority of women who complete a course of treatment.

At Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy in Santa Fe, NM, our certified pelvic floor therapy specialist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT takes the time to explain every aspect of the evaluation and treatment process so that patients know exactly what to expect. Jacqueline Maestas, DPT understands that seeking help for incontinence requires courage, and she is committed to providing a judgment-free experience where every patient feels heard, respected, and empowered.

Pelvic Floor Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most common type of incontinence in women and occurs when physical activities or movements — such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, running, jumping, or lifting — place sudden pressure on the bladder and the weakened pelvic floor muscles are unable to maintain closure of the urethra. The result is an involuntary leak that can range from a few drops to a more noticeable loss of urine. Despite the name, stress incontinence has nothing to do with emotional stress — it refers to the physical stress or pressure placed on the bladder.

Pelvic floor therapy for stress urinary incontinence focuses on strengthening the muscles that surround and support the urethra so that they can withstand the sudden increases in abdominal pressure that trigger leaks. While many women have heard of Kegel exercises, research has shown that a large percentage of women perform Kegels incorrectly when attempting them on their own — either engaging the wrong muscles, bearing down instead of lifting, or failing to achieve adequate contraction strength. A study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that women who received individualized pelvic floor therapy instruction achieved significantly better outcomes than those who attempted pelvic floor exercises without professional guidance.

Our experienced pelvic floor therapy specialist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT at Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy in Santa Fe, NM teaches patients how to correctly identify, isolate, and strengthen their pelvic floor muscles through a progressive exercise program tailored to their current level of function. Jacqueline Maestas, DPT also works with patients on functional training — practicing the coordination of pelvic floor contractions during real-life activities like lifting, coughing, and exercising — so that the skills learned in therapy translate directly into everyday life.

Pelvic Floor Therapy for Urge Urinary Incontinence

Urge urinary incontinence — sometimes called overactive bladder — is characterized by a sudden, intense, and overwhelming need to urinate that comes on with little warning, often followed by an involuntary loss of urine before the woman can reach a bathroom. Women with urge incontinence may find themselves constantly mapping out the nearest restroom in every building they enter, avoiding long car rides, or waking multiple times during the night to urinate. The condition can be profoundly disruptive to daily life, social activities, sleep, and emotional wellbeing.

The causes of urge incontinence are complex and often involve dysfunction in the signaling between the bladder and the nervous system. In many cases, the bladder muscle begins to contract involuntarily before the bladder is actually full, sending urgent “need to go” signals that are difficult to suppress. Pelvic floor therapy for urge incontinence addresses this dysfunction through a combination of bladder retraining techniques, urge suppression strategies, and pelvic floor muscle coordination exercises that help the patient regain control over bladder signals. The NIH has reported that behavioral therapies, including pelvic floor therapy and bladder training, are recommended as first-line treatments for urge incontinence before medication or surgical interventions are considered.

At Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy in Santa Fe, NM, our certified pelvic floor therapy specialist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT works closely with each patient to develop a bladder retraining program that gradually increases the intervals between bathroom visits, teaches effective urge suppression techniques, and restores confidence in the body’s ability to hold urine comfortably. Jacqueline Maestas, DPT also evaluates dietary and fluid intake patterns, as certain foods and beverages can irritate the bladder and contribute to urgency and frequency.

Get Your Life Back with Pelvic Floor Therapy

Living with incontinence often means living with limitations. Women who experience bladder leaks may avoid exercise, decline social invitations, skip activities with their children or grandchildren, or wear dark clothing and pads as a daily precaution. Over time, these small concessions add up to a significant loss of freedom, spontaneity, and joy. Many women suffer in silence for years, not realizing that effective treatment exists — or believing that they simply have to live with the problem.

Pelvic floor therapy offers a path back to the life that incontinence has been taking away. With the right guidance, the right exercises, and a treatment plan designed specifically for the individual, the vast majority of women experience meaningful and lasting improvement in their symptoms. Studies have shown that pelvic floor therapy can reduce or completely eliminate incontinence episodes in a significant percentage of patients, often without the need for medication or surgery.

At Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy in Santa Fe, NM, our licensed physical therapist and pelvic floor therapy specialist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT has helped many women stop the embarrassment of bladder leaks and return to the activities and experiences they love. Jacqueline Maestas, DPT brings not only clinical expertise but also genuine compassion and understanding to every treatment session, because she knows that incontinence is about so much more than a physical symptom — it is about quality of life.

Pelvic Floor Therapy | Santa Fe, NM

If bladder leaks have been holding you back — whether you are dealing with stress incontinence triggered by movement and activity, urge incontinence that sends you racing to the bathroom, or a combination of both — you do not have to accept it as your new normal. Pelvic floor therapy for incontinence is a proven, noninvasive approach that can restore the strength and control your body needs to keep you dry, confident, and free.

If you live in Santa Fe, NM and you are ready to take the first step toward stopping embarrassing bladder leaks, schedule an appointment with our licensed physical therapist and pelvic floor therapy specialist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT at Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy. Jacqueline Maestas, DPT will listen to your concerns, evaluate your pelvic floor function, and create a personalized treatment plan to help you get your life back — one confident step at a time.

Santa Fe Pelvic Floor Therapy: 505-988-4922