Incontinence of urine or faeces can affecr both men and women of all ages, however the incidence rises significantly among the elderly. This does not mean that it should be considered a natural and expected part of ageing—loss of bladder or bowel control is not normal. 

Aussie tradies are almost twice as likely to take good care of their tools as their bodies despite having one of the highest injury rates of any occupation according to research by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) released today to mark the launch of Tradies National Health Month.

Healthy bones and joints enable us to move about freely and without discomfort. Requiring constant maintenance, our skeletal system is constructed of hundreds of moveable parts connected by ligaments and tendons, lubricated and cushioned by cartilage. 

Do you wee when you sneeze? Or avoid star jumps at the gym? One in four of us experience pelvic floor problems which can lead to incontinence, or even prolapse. Basically we're poorly designed, we're standing over a gap and gravity is working against us. But you can turn things around. So get ready to clench, ladies. We need to talk.

Australian Physiotherapy Association pelvic-health physiotherapist Dr Irmina Nahon wants to reassure incontinence sufferers that help is available, and for them not to be resigned to the condition. Incontinence is one of the most common health conditions affecting Australians, with about six million people in this country experiencing the condition during their lifetime.

More Australians live with some form of incontinence than hay fever. Yet the stigma surrounding bladder and bowel weakness is such that it is rarely discussed in public. With World Continence Week commencing on Monday June 18 the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is reassuring all Australians that treatment is available.

This month’s Continence Week highlights the important role of physiotherapists in managing this common condition, linked to the pelvic floor muscles.

Urinary leakage is traditionally thought of as an older person’s complaint – however, as women all over Australia will tell you, bladder leakage is their reality as well.  The number of young women experiencing urinary leakage is on the rise and we now know that impact from exercise plays a part in a woman’s risk profile for developing urinary leakage.

We’ve heard it all before: warm up, listen to your body, build gradually. And yet, after popping on our activewear, lacing up and seeing the open road ahead, we tend to go all out—and suffer the consequences.  We chatted to APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist Lauren Shelley, who has a special interest running related injuries. Did we mention she also represented Australia for marathon running at the Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships? Uh, yeah, this lady knows her stuff. She practices at Body Logic Physiotherapy and has popped together some tips to help us level up our running game, ensuring a strong, pain-free finish.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is urging men to seek out evidence-based healthcare like physiotherapy to change the current poorer health status of males compared to females during Men’s Health Week.