I have been a Registered Massage Therapist for 13 years and very much enjoy thinking outside the box. I have had over the many years, umpteen clients who have come in with overactive bladder issues and consistently in almost all cases I have found that their lower pelvic floor is incredibly tight. (Now keep in mind this is most, not all - there are exceptions). I have provided massage to the bladder area and most have found incredible relief from overactive bladders particularly with nocturnal washroom visits.

 WHAT: I find that the lower pelvic floor, particularly in men, is incredibly tight. The interior muscles consist of the iliopsoas, iliacus and the muscle which surrounds the bladder which is the detrusor. Often when one muscle is tight, the others are as well. There is an interconnection with all muscles in the lower pelvic area much as there is an interconnection with internal organs of the body.

 WHY: The muscles exist in the lower pelvic area and much like any other muscles in the body, tighten over time. Since most of my clients with OAB are men, the reasons usually are because men do a lot of lifting over the years causing the lower abdominal muscles to tighten eventually affecting the detrusor muscle of the bladder. When lifting, the musculature and skeleton is used to lift upwards and pressure is the pushed downward into the pelvic region. Now, lifting is only one contributory factor. The abdominal region is the most 'vulnerable' area of the body in not only humans and the animal kingdom, so often those of us who feel 'vulnerable' in life will also experience tightness into the lower internal pelvic region. Various emotional issues plant themselves into that region but can eventually release. Massage is one of the most effective ways to assist those issues to release.

 Here's the visual part to understand what's happening. When it comes to a tight bladder, think of 'squeezing' a sponge. If you squeeze it in your hand, hold it under water tight, no water will go in nor out of the sponge. Relax your hand under water and suddenly the sponge fills up. The bladder is similar to the sponge. If the detrusor is tight, then very little fluid goes in and when even a small amount sits in the bladder, no further amount can enter. When the detrusor is relaxed much like a tight fist around a sponge, the bladder can then fill up with urine properly and visits to the washroom can become more infrequent. Trips through the night also become less frequent or non-existent as well which then results in much improved sleeps. I personally suffered for years from OAB, then obtained massage for my bladder and now can drink 4 cups of tea before bed and still sleep right through the night. Nocturnal washroom visits are now practically non-existent.

 HOW: Now, this is the part where people may get socially squirmish. Bladder massage is done strictly professionally. Massage must be done just above the pubic bone and deep into the pelvic region. Abdominally muscles initially have to be relaxed which for some can be challenging. Not only do athletes with abs of steel pose a bit of challenge but a gentleman with a very large pot belly also pose problems too because it takes very tight abs to keep that pot belly upright. Once the abdominal muscles are relaxed, the rest is fairly easy.

 I would recommend that a professional massage therapist perform the work, genitals are ALWAYS covered and there is no reason for them to ever be exposed, and the work is done very slowly and very gently. The goal is eventually to massage around the bladder which takes time and takes patience. It may take a number of sessions for all to relax and results to happen but pretty well all of my clients have had total or near total success.

CONTRADICATIONS: Bladder massage would not be done on individuals who have cancer of the bladder, women who are pregnant or in rare situations where there may be a broken pubic bone (I have had clients with broken pubic bones in to see me, it does happen) . As well, prolapsed bladders or atonic bladders are a contraindication. Massage should only be done if the bladder's detrusor muscle is tight. In some instances, the detrusor may have been overly extended. Always check first to rule out any medical issues such as cancer or other medical conditions with your physician.