Reno, Nev. - Karen Carabio was diagnosed with an overactive bladder, and she used to have some trouble holding it in.

"I had started with medication, and when the medication stopped working, I thought maybe I'd have to get surgery," said Carabio.

But thanks to a local doctor's research into why women develop leaky bladders, she didn't have to go under the knife. Now, she does "Pfilates," it's pilates for the pelvic floor.

"This is the most successful method of pelvic floor rehabilitation that we've encountered," said Dr. Bruce Crawford, who started the only lab of it's kind in the country to help men and women with incontinence.

Just one month of doing these strengthening exercises can help people with their ability to hold it in.

Pfilates focuses on 10 different exercises.

Carabio does Pfilates under the care of a specially trained instructor in the Vesy Lab at the Women's Wellness Center in South Reno.

Dr. Crawford attaches four small wires to the patient. Those wires transmit information to a screen wirelessly, and that screen helps patients visualize which muscles they're working.

Carabio says the wires are so comfortable, she hardly notices them as she exercises.

Kris Dobler is a certified Pfilates instructor at the Women's Wellness Center, and she helps patients perfect the exercises that work best for them.

She also helps monitor their progress.

"As we're doing these exercise, the EMG is measuring the strength of her contractions," said Dobler, of the screen that shows Carabio's progress.

"I can get instant feedback, and see exactly how the exercises are working," said Carabio.

The result is a better ability to stop a leaky bladder, and a whole new outlook.

"It's been huge to completely avoid surgery, and get away from medication has freed me, completely," said Carabio.

For more information, visit http://vesylab.com/.