The pelvic floor muscles may be the most neglected and least thought about. But they are one of the most important muscle groups in our bodies, supporting bladder, bowel, and sexual function for everyone. Kegel exercises may be prescribed to help maintain the pelvic floor muscles.
What Are Kegel Exercises?
Kegel exercises engage the pelvic floor muscles, which are used to stop urination mid-stream and prevent passing gas. The exercises involve contracting the muscles and releasing at prescribed intervals. They are the same for all genders, but doing Kegel exercises incorrectly can do more harm than good.
Why You Need a Pelvic Physical Therapist
- A physical therapist will perform an evaluation and determine if Kegel exercises are appropriate to perform given your dysfunction.
- A physical therapist can ensure you are performing the exercises correctly without compensation strategies and utilizing the full range of motion.
- Kegel exercises should not be done only in isolation but with other functional movements and exercise.
Common Pelvic Floor Disorders
Here are a few common disorders that may be helped by Kegel exercises and other pelvic floor physical therapy:
- Urinary or bowel incontinence
- Pelvic pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Orthopedic issues like pain in the hip, lower back pain, joint pain, or tailbone pain
- Prostate inflammation
- Pelvic organ prolapse