When someone has to rush to the bathroom whenever they hear a faucet running, they’ll often blame their bladder. Similarly, bowel issues are easily blamed on IBS or dietary choices. Most wouldn’t consider that incontinence can actually be resolved with muscular correction.  

Those dealing with both incontinence and chronic back pain might be surprised to learn these two issues are related. Moreover, treating their back problems could help them regain healthy bladder and bowel control. 

Chronic back pain is often treated with exercises to strengthen the core. However, many just associate the core with stomach muscles. The core actually refers to the entire central region of the body. For this reason, it’s also called the trunk. The top of a person’s core is the diaphragm; the bottom of the core is the pelvic floor; the front contains the stomach muscles; and the back contains the lower spine muscles.  

Core muscles work together to mimic a piston that moves up and down to control the bladder and bowel. When these muscles are imbalanced, their movement becomes clumsy, resulting in symptoms like leakage, frequent urination, constipation or diarrhea. 

What does this cause-and-effect relationship have to do with back pain? Those with back pain often adopt compensatory habits to avoid discomfort, leading to imbalances in their core muscles. For example, if someone’s rib cage becomes tilted due to a habit of constant leaning to avoid back aches, that resulting asymmetry also affects the diaphragm. Likewise, a misaligned pelvis will affect the pelvic floor.  

One way to know whether your incontinence could be a result of muscular problems is to look for body asymmetries in a mirror. Does the belly button appear shifted to one side? This suggests an imbalanced core. Is one foot pointing outward more when standing? This indicates a twisted pelvis. Once you’re aware of the problem, you can begin to address it.  

Joann Pung, PT, is a chronic pain specialist at Manual Physical Therapy & Concierge services at  5207 26th St. W, Suite 102, Bradenton. For more information and a free assessment, call 941-226-2605 or visit https://www.manualconciergept.com/