How the Stimpod Can Help With Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Weakness

How the Stimpod Can Help With Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Weakness

Pelvic floor problems such as urinary incontinence, pelvic heaviness, or reduced muscle control affect millions of people in the UK, especially women after childbirth or menopause, but also men following prostate surgery. Although these issues are common, they can significantly impact daily confidence, activity levels, and overall quality of life.

One of the most effective approaches to restoring pelvic floor strength and improving bladder control involves improving the communication between the nerves and the pelvic muscles. This is where the Stimpod, an advanced neuromodulation device, can become a highly valuable part of rehabilitation.

Understanding Pelvic Floor Weakness and Incontinence

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and nerves that support the bladder, uterus/prostate, and bowel. When these muscles or their nerves are weakened or disrupted, it can lead to:

• Stress urinary incontinence: leaking with coughing, laughing, jumping, or lifting
• Urge incontinence: sudden, strong urges and difficulty “holding it”
• Mixed incontinence: combination of stress and urge symptoms
• Pelvic floor dysfunction: difficulty contracting or relaxing the muscles properly
• Post-surgical weakness: especially in men after prostate procedures
• Postnatal weakness: stretching or nerve irritation during childbirth

Many of these issues are connected not only to muscle weakness but also to nerve irritation or poor neuromuscular control and this is precisely what the Stimpod targets.

What Is the Stimpod?

The Stimpod is a non-invasive neuromodulation device that uses pulsed radio-frequency stimulation to help restore nerve signalling, reduce pain, and improve muscle activation. It is widely used in physiotherapy and neuromuscular rehabilitation for conditions involving nerve dysfunction, chronic pain, and muscle weakness.

The technology focuses on normalising nerve conduction, helping the body regain control, coordination, and strength naturally.

How the Stimpod Helps With Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

1. Enhances Nerve Signalling to the Pelvic Floor: Incontinence often develops when nerves controlling the bladder or pelvic floor stop communicating efficiently. Stimpod therapy can help:

• Re-awaken sluggish or irritated nerves
• Improve timing and control of pelvic floor contractions
• Support coordination between bladder muscles and pelvic muscles

This results in reduced urgency, better “holding ability,” and fewer leakage episodes.

2. Accelerates Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening: Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) are essential but many people find them hard to feel or do correctly. Stimpod stimulation can prime the nerves and muscles for more effective activation, helping patients:

• Engage the correct muscles
• Strengthen faster
• Achieve better endurance
• Improve overall pelvic stability

This makes Physiotherapy significantly more effective.

3. Reduces Pain and Muscle Tension: Some people with pelvic floor issues also experience:

• Pelvic pain
• Muscle spasm
• Overactive pelvic musculature

The Stimpod can help calm nerve irritation and relax hyperactive muscles, making it easier to restore normal pelvic function and comfort.

4. Helpful After Pregnancy or Surgery: Pregnancy, childbirth, and pelvic or prostate surgeries can disrupt the nerves that control the pelvic floor.

Stimpod therapy supports recovery by:

• Stimulating nerve regeneration
• Improving muscle recruitment
• Reducing post-surgical or postnatal discomfort
• Helping the pelvic floor return to proper function more quickly

This makes it beneficial for both women (postnatal recovery) and men (post-prostate surgery).

5. Non-Invasive and Comfortable: Unlike some pelvic treatments that require internal devices, the Stimpod is completely external. The therapy is gentle, safe, and suitable for people of all ages.

Sessions typically feel like a mild tingling sensation, and improvements often occur within a short period, especially when combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Who Can Benefit From Stimpod Therapy?

Stimpod treatment may be helpful for individuals experiencing:

• Stress urinary incontinence
• Urge or overactive bladder
• Mixed incontinence
• Postpartum pelvic floor weakness
• Pelvic nerve irritation
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Post-prostate surgery incontinence
• Reduced pelvic floor coordination

Your friendly Relive Physiotherapist can determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.

What to Expect in a Stimpod Session

A typical session includes:

1. Assessment of symptoms and pelvic floor activation
2. External nerve stimulation using the Stimpod
3. Guided pelvic floor exercises to reinforce neuromuscular changes
4. Progressive strengthening and control training

The combination of neuromodulation + tailored rehab provides some of the best outcomes for long-term continence improvement.

Final Thoughts

Incontinence and pelvic floor weakness are highly treatable especially with modern technology like the Stimpod. By improving nerve communication, enhancing muscle activation, and supporting faster recovery, the Stimpod offers a powerful, non-invasive way to restore function and confidence.

If you’ve been struggling with bladder control or pelvic floor issues, Stimpod-assisted therapy may be a transformative next step on your recovery journey.