Understanding Urinary Incontinence
Urinary leakage can feel frustrating, embarrassing, and isolating—but it’s also incredibly common, especially among women after pregnancy or as we age. At Continuous Motion Physical Therapy, we’re combining Focused Shockwave Therapy with expert pelvic floor rehabilitation to help patients regain control, confidence, and freedom from pads or bathroom anxiety.
Let’s explore the two main types of urinary incontinence—stress and urge—and how focused shockwave therapy can help.
What Is Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)?
Stress urinary incontinence occurs when urine leaks during activities that increase pressure—or “stress”—on the bladder, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercise.
Why it happens:
- Weakness or stretching in the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues that support the bladder and urethra (often due to pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, or aging).
- The urethra doesn’t close tightly when pressure increases, allowing small leaks.
Common signs:
- Leaking during workouts, especially squats, double-unders, or running
- Crossing your legs when you sneeze or cough
- Avoiding social situations or fitness classes out of fear of leaking
➡️ If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—studies estimate that 1 in 3 women experience stress urinary incontinence.
What Is Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI)?
Urge urinary incontinence—often referred to as “overactive bladder”—is when you feel a sudden, intense urge to urinate and can’t make it to the bathroom in time.
Why it happens:
- The bladder muscle (detrusor) contracts before it should.
- The brain-bladder connection misfires, sending signals to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full.
- This can be triggered by bladder irritation, chronic tension, or pelvic floor dysfunction.
Common signs:
- Strong, sudden urges to urinate—especially when hearing running water or pulling into your driveway
- Frequent trips to the bathroom “just in case”
- Small leaks before reaching the toilet
Over time, these habits can make the bladder more sensitive and worsen the problem.
📅 Curious if you’re a candidate?
Schedule your Pelvic Shockwave Session today.
[Link in bio] or call Continuous Motion Physical Therapy to learn more.
How Focused Shockwave Therapy Helps
Focused Shockwave Therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing and restore proper function in pelvic tissues—without surgery, injections, or medication.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Stimulates Cellular Repair
The sound waves activate fibroblasts and stem cells, encouraging collagen remodeling and connective tissue regeneration. This strengthens the support structures around the bladder and urethra.
2️⃣ Improves Blood Flow & Nerve Function
Shockwave enhances microcirculation and promotes new blood vessel growth, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to the pelvic region. This helps recalibrate nerve signaling for better bladder control.
3️⃣ Reduces Pain & Muscle Tension
Chronic pelvic floor tension and trigger points can interfere with bladder function. Shockwave helps relax overactive muscles and relieve tension that contributes to urgency or leakage.
4️⃣ Works Best with Pelvic PT
At CMPT, we combine shockwave therapy with manual therapy, pelvic retraining, and progressive strengthening—addressing not just symptoms, but the root cause.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
1️⃣ Comprehensive Evaluation
Your first visit begins with a detailed pelvic health evaluation. We’ll discuss your symptoms, bladder habits, goals, and assess how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. This helps us pinpoint what’s truly contributing to your incontinence.
If you haven’t been evaluated in the past six months, we’ll start there before adding focused shockwave sessions.
2️⃣ Customized Treatment Plan
If you’re a good candidate, focused shockwave therapy becomes part of your personalized plan. The handheld device delivers acoustic energy directly to the targeted pelvic tissues—non-invasive, precise, and guided by your therapist.
3️⃣ The Session Itself
Each session takes about 10–15 minutes. The focused shockwave device delivers sound waves directly to the pelvic region. You’ll be comfortably positioned, and your therapist will ensure privacy and clear communication throughout the process. Most patients describe the sensation as tapping or pulsing—intense but tolerable.
4️⃣ After Treatment
There’s no downtime—you can go about your day as usual. Many patients start noticing changes within 3–5 sessions, such as:
✅ Fewer leaks during activity
✅ Less urgency or frequency
✅ Stronger bladder control
✅ More confidence during workouts and daily life
We typically recommend 6–8 sessions for optimal, lasting results.
Why We Love It at CMPT
Focused Shockwave Therapy has become a game-changer for our pelvic health patients—especially those who’ve tried traditional therapy or Kegels alone without lasting success.
It’s not a quick fix—it’s a catalyst for healing, helping tissues regenerate faster and function better so your exercise and lifestyle goals can return front and center.
At Continuous Motion Physical Therapy, our goal is always to help you move freely, live confidently, and never have to plan your day around bathroom breaks again.
Frequently Asked Questions
1️⃣ Is focused shockwave therapy painful?
Most patients describe it as a deep vibration or tapping sensation. It can feel mildly uncomfortable in sensitive areas, but sessions are short and fully adjustable to your comfort level.
2️⃣ How is it different from electrical stimulation or laser therapy?
Shockwave uses acoustic energy, not electrical current or heat. It promotes cellular regeneration and collagen repair at a deeper level than most external therapies.
3️⃣ How soon will I notice results?
Some patients notice early improvements within the first few sessions—like fewer leaks or less urgency. Most experience significant progress by session 4–6 as tissues strengthen and nerve pathways reset.
4️⃣ Can men benefit too?
Yes. While most of our pelvic clients are women, men with pelvic pain or urinary leakage after prostate surgery can also benefit from this therapy.
5️⃣ Are the results long-lasting?
Yes—when combined with pelvic retraining and good bladder habits. Shockwave improves tissue integrity and coordination, helping prevent future recurrence.
6️⃣ Do I need to stop working out during treatment?
No! We encourage continued movement. Your therapist will guide you on exercise modifications that complement your recovery and help you retrain your pelvic floor effectively.
Take Back Control
If bladder leaks or urgency have been holding you back—whether in the gym, at work, or in daily life—there’s hope beyond pads or medication.
Focused Shockwave Therapy offers a science-backed, non-invasive solution that restores strength, function, and confidence. Combined with our holistic pelvic floor approach, it helps you move freely and feel like yourself again.
📅 Curious if you’re a candidate?
Schedule your Pelvic Shockwave Session today.
[Link in bio] or call Continuous Motion Physical Therapy to learn more.
Continuous Motion Physical Therapy
🏋️♀️ Repair. Regenerate. Return to What You Love.
📍 Located in Goodyear, AZ
🌐 www.continuousmotionpt.com
📞 (623-343-8706)
