Urinary Retention

What it is, how it manifests, and can physical therapy can help.

Urinary retention is characterized by the inability to completely empty the bladder when urinating. In the absence of an infection or other trauma or damage to the nerves of the bladder, pelvic health physical therapy can help with the sensation of not fully emptying the bladder.

Once the urine stream has stopped, you should feel as though you have fully emptied and no longer feel the need to push or strain. If you are finding that you still have the sensation of needing to empty further (and do not have any neurologic changes such as a spinal cord injury, or pelvic surgery or trauma), it may mean there dysfunction between your pelvic floor muscles and bladder.

A pelvic health physical therapist can perform an assessment to see where the dysfunction is occurring and provide relevant education and exercises to help reduce or eliminate these symptoms.

Experiencing
Urinary Retention
or related symptoms? Pelvic floor physical therapy can help.

Mendwell is a Pelvic Health Physical Therapy clinic serving patients in Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, and Tigard. Our team of specialists are passionate about helping patients improve pelvic function, relieve pain, and get back to feeling their best. Reach out to learn how we can help.

Other names for this condition

  • Incomplete Emptying of Bladder