Posts

Showing posts from April, 2015

The Problem with Kegels

Image
"Kegel" is the term used in North America for a pelvic floor contraction, named after gynaecologist Dr. Arnold Kegel (I hadn't heard the term before I moved to Canada!) and they are often taught (world-wide) as a strengthening exercise pre and post natally, or for anybody who has a pelvic floor-related problem.  Performing isolated “ Kegels ” (pelvic floor contractions) can be helpful in the short term, especially early postpartum (eg. within the first 48hrs) to improve the control and awareness of the muscle. However, when performed by already hypertonic muscles, Kegels can lead to an even tighter pelvic floor and cause more serious problems to occur throughout the body. Most people with pelvic floor issues are not simply suffering from muscle weakness, but rather from a  tightness  or  shortening  of the pelvic floor muscles (See  Too Long, Too Short or Just Right?  for more info) .  Most often, the muscles need to be released and trained to relax first, prior to