Adult - Assessment

At Innerstrength a specially trained physiotherapist routinely offers the following tests at your first appointment.

• Uroflowmetry Post-void residual volume measure
• Ultrasound pelvic floor assessment
• If you are an adult and not experiencing significant pain your physiotherapist may suggest a physical examination at your first appointment.

Uroflowmetry measures the flow of urine as you normally pass it into a toilet. It’s a test to assess how well your bladder and urinary tract function

Uroflowmetry gives helpful information if you have bladder, bowel, prolapse, prostate or pelvic pain problems. 

How is uroflow done?

Uroflowmetry is performed using a toilet frame and uroflowmeter.  

A uroflowmeter comprises a funnel, collection unit and printer.

During a uroflowmetry test, you urinate privately in our bathroom.

To prepare for the test we ask you to empty your bladder one hour before the appointment. 
Then we ask you to drink 500mls of water and hold on until you are told to do so.  
Rest assured we will do our utmost to make sure you do not wait uncomfortably with a full bladder.
If waiting is usually not possible, tell our reception staff and they will assist you to do the test on arrival.

To prepare for the test we ask you to empty your bladder one hour before the appointment. 
Rest assured we will do our utmost to make sure you do not wait uncomfortably with a full bladder.
If waiting is usually not possible, tell our reception staff and they will assist you to do the test on arrival.
Alternatively you could arrive early for your appointment then drink up to 500mls and do the test at your leisure.

If you are coming to discuss bowel problems we need you to attend with your bladder full enough to locate your pelvic floor muscle activity using real-time ultrasound.
As your pelvic floor helps to control both bladder and bowel uroflowmetry is often still gives you very useful information.

The equipment creates a graph that shows your urine flow over time.

You will learn how fast urine flows, how much flows out, and how long it takes.

Your results are compared with "normal" test results automatically.

The test can be abnormal if:

• Your bladder muscle is damaged and weak
• Your urine flow pipe (urethra) is blocked by prolapse, prostate or stricture
• You routinely hover over the toilet seat
• You only partially release due to restrictive clothing when you urinate
• You strain to speed up the flow 
• You practice stopping and starting the flow

Post-void means after urination. 
A post-void residual refers to the amount of urine remaining in your bladder after urination. 
A post-void residual can be measured using ultrasound equipment through your lower abdomen. 
This should be completely comfortable.  Tell us if it isn’t comfortable.
A post-void residual of 30 millilitres or more is a sign that your bladder has not emptied completely on this occasion.

The physiotherapist can also assess whether you can perform pelvic floor muscle contractions. 
The physiotherapist will instruct you to perform pelvic floor muscle contractions whilst the ultrasound has a picture of your bladder through your lower abdomen.  
This can be done whilst you stand, sit, or lie on your back or side and must be done whilst there is some urine stored in your bladder.

Vaginal, Rectal or Perineal Inspections are done with utmost sensitivity.
If you usually experience pain during examinations you probably will not be examined during the first appointment unless you expressly request an examination.
First the physiotherapist will discuss the purpose of the examination.
The examination is an important part of your assessment.
The examination gives you and your physiotherapist vital information.
With information you are more able to change your pelvic floor and more empowered to make real change to your life. 
Please read our informed consent before your appointment and be ready with questions.
You will need to register and log in to see these linked pages below.

Informed Consent for Examination - Male

Informed Consent for Examination - Female

You can decide that you do not want an examinaton on a particular day.

You can decide that you do not want an examination at all.

Before your appointment you could make a start on your assessment. 

Please see the tabs below for assessment forms and questionnaires relevant to you.

By filling in a few days of a bladder diary or a week long bowel diary you can reduce your overall treatment costs.

You will need to register and log in to see these linked pages below.

We understand you are busy.

You are not required to do any of these forms before the appointment.

However if you would like to save some time and money you could fill in what is relevant below.

We understand you are busy.

You are not required to do any of these forms before the appointment.

However if you would like to save some time and money you could fill in what is relevant below.

If you have a particular bias in the way you learn; listening, watching or doing let us know.

You can answer the Learning Style questionnaire and this will inform us and you.