Finding Relief from Overactive Bladder with Pelvic Floor Therapy
If you’re constantly looking for the nearest bathroom, waking several times at night, or worrying you might not make it in time, you’re not alone - and you’re not broken.
At Root to Rise Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health, we see many people from Scarborough, Bath, and surrounding Maine communities who feel frustrated or discouraged by bladder urgency and leakage. The good news? There are powerful, effective ways to help your body find calm and control again - starting with your pelvic floor.
What Is Overactive Bladder (OAB)?
Overactive bladder is a common condition that causes a strong, sudden urge to urinate sometimes followed by leakage or frequent trips to the bathroom.
You might notice:
Urinating more than 8 times a day (or just “always thinking about it”)
Waking multiple times at night to go to the bathroom
Leaking when you feel an intense urge to urinate
These symptoms can feel isolating, but they’re incredibly common and they don’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. Often, they’re tied to the way your pelvic floor muscles and nervous system are working together.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
Our pelvic floor is part of an intricate system that supports the bladder, bowel, and core. When it’s too tense, weak, or out of sync with your breath, it can contribute to urgency, frequency, and leakage.
Pelvic floor therapy gently helps restore this balance and improving awareness, coordination, and comfort so you can move through your day without constant worry.
At Root to Rise, we combine hands-on therapy, breathwork, and education to help you reconnect with your body’s natural rhythm.
1. Understanding and Balancing Your Muscles
During your sessions, we’ll look at how your pelvic floor muscles are working and identify whether they need help relaxing, strengthening, or coordinating with your breath. You’ll learn how to sense subtle changes in your body so you can support better bladder control naturally.
2. Bladder Retraining
Sometimes our brains and bladders fall out of sync. “Just in case” bathroom trips or holding too long can confuse your body’s signals. Through bladder retraining, we help re-establish healthy timing and habits so your bladder learns when it truly needs to empty and not just when it’s anxious.
3. Calming the Nervous System
Because the bladder is closely connected to the nervous system, stress and urgency often go hand in hand. We’ll guide you through breathing techniques, gentle movement, and hands-on releases that help your body shift from “fight or flight” into a calmer, “rest and digest” state. This is where your bladder can relax, too.
4. Strength and Support
Depending on your needs, your therapist may add core and hip strengthening exercises to support healthy bladder function. In some cases, we’ll collaborate with your medical provider and possibly explore additional supports, such as a pessary, to help you feel even more comfortable.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Every session is completely personalized. Your pelvic floor therapist will take time to really listen to your story - your symptoms, daily routines, and how this has been affecting your life.
A first visit may include:
A thoughtful review of your bladder habits and lifestyle factors
A gentle assessment of your pelvic floor and core (only with your consent)
A posture, movement, and strength screening to identify how these may be impacting your pelvic floor function.
Education and a personalized plan to help you start seeing change right away
Our goal is to help you feel safe, supported, and empowered every step of the way.
Healing happens best when your body feels seen, your story is heard, and your care is personalized.
You Don’t Have to Manage This Alone
If you’ve been struggling with urgency, frequency, or leakage, pelvic floor therapy can offer the clarity and tools you’ve been looking for.
At Root to Rise, with offices in Scarborough and Bath, Maine, we specialize in helping people find confidence and comfort in their daily lives again - without shame or stress.
If you’re experiencing urinary frequency, urgency or leaking, you don’t have to accept it as your “new normal.” Healing starts with understanding your body and giving it the support it needs. Schedule a pelvic floor assessment and discover what your body really needs to feel strong and supported.
Read More About Bladder Health?
Interested in learning more? Read another blog post we wrote about bladder health and urinary incontinence: