Urinary incontinence is an underdiagnosed and underreported condition with major economic and psychosocial effects on society. Women are more likely to experience it due to issues with the pelvic floor brought on by pregnancy and menopause. The Bathroom Key is a treatment plan for women to cure their own incontinence issues. It also allows women to identify with other women through the anecdotal stories that echo their feelings of isolation and embarrassment. Written in easy-to-understand language, the book is a genuine teaching tool, guiding the reader to a better understanding of her body and effective remedies.

Whereas in recent years some mention of the Kegel muscles and exercises have become common knowledge, this book is much more than just Kegels. By incorporating key elements of the physical therapy approach in this book, the reader will be encouraged to self-assess, modify behaviors, re-train her bladder, alter dietary habits, and practice a variety of exercises to self-treat and cure her incontinence. In most cases urinary incontinence is completely treatable with physical therapy. Women can regain bladder control, not have to take medications, throw away pads and regain their dignity.

• Written in a "friend to friend" style that reveals the secrecy around urinary incontinence through real life stories of women dealing with the embarrassing and life-altering symptoms
• Advocates for PT as something that can radically help the problem
• Lists a variety of behavioral and practical exercises and allow people to self-treat at home (and also tells them when they need to see a physical therapist)

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  Reviews

  "Urinary incontinence is a silent epidemic among women. The Bathroom Key is the solution - pure and simple. I highly recommend this book and program within!"-CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP, MD, OB/GYN, physician, and author of The New York Times bestsellers, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause "Physical therapist Kassai and Perelli, who successfully treated her incontinence with the suggestions in this book, describe normal bladder function and four types of incontinence and their causes. While personal consultation with a physical therapist is recommended, Kassai presents her own eight- to 12-week program with specific exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and eliminate leakage. Dietary changes and regular exercise, including Pilates, are recommended. A list of resources and products as well as a glossary are included. The positive tone, combined with women's stories of success, should prove inspirational to readers. Exercises are well explained and easy to follow." -Library Journal

  " Arnold Henry Kegel, MD, FACS, was my father and he made a substantial contribution in the field of medicine during his lifetime. Kegel exercises bear his name. The advanced techniques presented in this book work even better today - to eliminate incontinence once and for all " -ROBERT ARNOLD KEGEL, ESQ.

  " This is a book for every mother, daughter, and girlfriend. Kim and Kathryn describe not only their journey, but the journey of many real women. The information is understandable, and more importantly, applicable to every woman at every stage of her life." -SARAH HAAG, PT, DPT, MS, WCS, Chicago, IL

  " Authors Kassai and Perelli instill confidence that control over the bladder is achievable and resides within each of us. Hooray to both authors for putting into context the essential role played by physical therapy. They have assembled a no-nonsense, unbeatable set of guidelines and instructions for achieving not only continence but reclaiming one's entire pelvic health." -NANCY MULLER, PHD, Executive Director, National Association For Continence

  " It is an amazing truth that most incontinent woman can become dry without surgery and without medicines. Pelvic floor muscle therapy and biofeedback, as described in this book, has become a powerfully effective standard tool in the fight against bladder dysfunction. This fabulous book reveals the physical therapy methods that can give people their lives back. Read this book and it might just change your life." -FREDRICK N. WOLK, MD, Diplomat of the American Board of Urology

  " A wonderful resource for any woman with symptoms of urinary incontinence, pelvic prolapse, or pelvic pain. I love the way Kathryn and Kim use real patients as examples throughout the book and explain everything in plain language." - DAVID A. GINSBERG, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Urology, USC Institute of Urology, Keck School of Medicine

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  Contents

  Chapter 1. The Hidden Epidemic of Urinary Incontinence
  Chapter 2. Stress Urinary Incontinence
  Chapter 3. Urge Urinary Incontinence
  Chapter 4. Behavior Modification
  Chapter 5. Women Affected by Urinary Incontinence
  Chapter 6. Pelvic Floor Pain and Sexual Issues
  Chapter 7. Incontinence and Depression
  Chapter 8. Physical Therapy Cures Incontinence
  Chapter 9. How Dry I Am... How Wet I'll Be... If I Don't Find... THE BATHROOM KEY...
  Appendix I Self-Assessment Tool
  Appendix II Resources to Find Specialists
  Appendix III Bladder Diary Form

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  About the Authors

  Kathryn Kassai, PT, CES

  Kathryn Kassai, PT, CES has over 32 years experience as a physical therapist. She earned her BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware in 1978. She founded Praxis Physical Therapy in San Pedro, California in 1988. Today Praxis enjoys one of the highest customer satisfaction rankings of any physical therapy clinic in the country. Kathryn has specialized in the conservative treatment of incontinence, pelvic floor rehabilitation and pelvic pain for the past 15 years. She lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and four children.

  Kim Perelli

  Kim Perelli earned her BA in communications from the University of Southern California and has a successful background in advertising, sales, and marketing. Currently she works for SwaddleBaby, manufacturers of a patented swaddling blanket. She resides in Long Beach, CA and is the married mother of two children. Kim has dealt with the issue of incontinence personally, her problem was alleviated by the therapy used in this book.