Do you know that one of every four women and one of every ten men experience involuntary loss of urine, commonly called urinary incontinence?  More than 15 million people in the United States experience urinary incontinence.

Many persons with urinary incontinence are reluctant to discuss their problem with their physicians and will unnecessarily wear diapers or pads, or stay at home, because they are afraid that others will detect their problems.

Urinary incontinence can lead to many other medical and psychosocial problems, including skin irritation and breakdown, social isolation and depression.  Incontinence problems increase an elderly person’s dependence on others, often resulting in nursing home admissions.  The costs of incontinence are enormous, exceeding $16 billion per year.

Although there are many different types of incontinence, the most frequent types are stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Stress Incontinence is the unintended loss (or leaking) of urine when coughing, sneezing or during physical activity. This condition is seen more often in women and is related to a weakening of the pelvic muscles, a condition that may be associated with childbirth, menopause or poor health.  Men who have had prostate surgery can also experience this type of incontinence.

With Urge Incontinence, the bladder muscles go into spasms, making it difficult to stop the flow of urine once it starts.  This strong desire to urinate, which is common among older women, can be provoked by certain situations, such as hearing water running, placing hands in cold water or thinking about using the bathroom.

Incontinence Clinic Providers

The Incontinence Clinic is under the direction of Kim DeMars, P.T., who has extensive experience in the evaluation and management of patients with incontinence disorders.  She works closely with patients’ physicians and other Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology Rehabilitation Services staff for a comprehensive approach to incontinence management.

Incontinence Clinic Services

Our physical therapists specialize in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Treatments focus on retraining the pelvic floor muscles (muscles that support the bladder, uterus and intestines in females and the bladder and intestines in males) and improving bladder relaxation.  Good pelvic muscle strength and a relaxed bladder improve urine control.  Our re-education program, which is adapted to each person’s specific needs, provides patients with a wide range of options, including instruction about the condition and preventative advice, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, specialized exercise instruction and manual therapy.

These behavioral treatments represent the initial approach recommended by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR).  Other treatment options, such as medications, are also available under the direction of a physician.

Incontinence Clinic Location/Contact Information

If you have problems with urinary loss, talk about it now.  Consult with your physician, who will determine the cause and nature of your incontinence problem, or contact our Physical Therapy Department for specialized treatments.  Your physical therapist will establish a personalized treatment plan to help you restore bladder control and improve your quality of life.

Incontinence Clinic
Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology
4225 Golden Valley Road    
Golden Valley, MN 55422
(763) 302-4102

Patient Education

Please refer to the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology’s Neurology Topic Library to learn more about incontinence.