Struggling With Incontinence? Here Are 3 Exercises You Should Try, According To A Pelvic Health PT
Incontinence, or the lack of voluntary control over urination and defecation, can be life-altering. It can come in six types: insensible, stress, urgency, mixed, nocturnal enuresis, and overflow. Depending on the type of incontinence, your therapy will be specific to you. However, below, you will find the most common pelvic floor retraining exercises to help get you started. For more personalized care, please reach out to a physical therapist (PT) near you.
3 Reasons to Try Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Pelvic health physical therapy evaluates and treats health issues ranging from incontinence, pelvic and vaginal pain, prenatal and postpartum musculoskeletal pain, osteoporosis, lymphedema, to rehabilitation following breast, genital, and gender affirmation surgery. It involves the treatment of disease, injury, or dysfunction by physical methods such as stretching, strengthening, muscle re-training, manual therapy, the use of modalities and pain science for pain management, and behavioral modifications rather than by drugs or surgery. This style of conservative care can help improve the quality of life for you and the ones around you. Below you will find three reasons to seek pelvic health therapy and get the care you need.
2 Conditions You Didn’t Know a Pelvic Rehabilitation Specialist Could Treat
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation is beneficial for all genders. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists treat patients with numerous conditions, such as Erectile Dysfunction, Pelvic Pain, Constipation, and Urinary Incontinence. To understand how a Pelvic Rehabilitation Specialist may help you, you must explore the purpose and function of the pelvis.
Returning to Exercise Postpartum
After giving birth, a lot of questions arise on how to return to a workout program safely once cleared by your doctor. Every birth is different (vaginal delivery vs caesarian section), so it’s important to discuss with your doctor before returning to exercise. Typically, walking and gentle exercises are permitted immediately after birth, but most doctors do not clear women for impact activities until at least 6 weeks postpartum. Certain women’s recoveries will be longer, and it is important to ease into abdominal strengthening. Starting a vigorous workout too early can cause problems such as incontinence or prolapse of the pelvic floor (when organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position).
Exercises to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor, also known as the “hammock” of your core, is very important to keep strong and mobile. It provides support for the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus and rectum in the female pelvis. In the male pelvis, the pelvic floor supports the bladder and rectum.
Let’s Talk About the Pelvic Floor
Your doctor is talking to you about recent pain you’ve experienced and suggests it come from your pelvic floor. What is the pelvic floor? Do I have one? Why is it there? Should I be concerned about my pelvic floor pain? Let’s discuss this often unknown area, and give you a better idea of what is going on in your pelvic floor. (more…)
