When Kegels Don't Work
I have had many clients tell me they’ve tried kegels for the symptoms they are experiencing (usually pelvic organ prolapse or bladder leakage) without much success. They’ve dedicated their time and effort on a daily basis because that is what they heard would work best.
But when kegels don’t work, why might that be? The answer is multifactorial. The pelvic floor may be a small piece of the puzzle in pelvic floor issues.
Urinary leakage can happen with coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercise, or even just sitting around. While the stress on the pelvic floor can be too much for it to withstand, we might also need to look at the following:
What are the other core muscles doing?... including the diaphragm, abdominals, hips and back - everything in the core works together and we need a well oiled and balanced machine in place
If leakage is due to movement, is posture, breathing, or movement patterns playing a part?
Are chronic and persistent conditions such as constipation and a chronic cough the reason for additional pressure in the pelvic area on a day to day basis? If yes, these must be treated as well
Are kegels being done correctly? Often times when someone thinks they are doing a kegel, they might actually be accessing the wrong muscles
Are we functionally training the muscles? Doing kegels lying down for someone who has leakage or heaviness and pressure with running might not be the most effective answer or treatment!
Questions? Comment below, e-mail us, or book a free phone consult 🙂
P.S. Find out more about when kegels are not the answer in Part II: When Kegels Are Not The Answer (coming soon)
