What are the pelvic floor muscles?
Pelvic floor is a group of muscles that extend from the tailbone to the pubic bone at the front like a sling. When it does not function properly, this is called pelvic floor dysfunction. It is a group of muscles that we cannot visualise, therefore we neglect to train it.Your pelvic floor muscles help maintain the height of the pelvic organs ( the bladder, rectum and uterus), and controls our continence ( urination and defecation).
Pelvic floor conditions can include:
- Stress incontinence
- Urge incontinence
- Urgency
- Vaginal & rectal prolapse
- Constipation
- Fecal incontinence
Some common causes of a weak pelvic floor include: being overweight, constant straining from constipation, extra pressure from pregnancy, chronic coughing, continuous heavy lifting.
What are the benefits of pelvic floor exercises?
There are many benefits of doing pelvic floor exercises, for pregnant women it is vital for the pelvic floor to be strong to cope with the increasing weight of the baby, if you are an older adult strengthening the pelvic floor may aid in continence control affected by menopause or for those who lose their urine control when sneezing, jumping or laughing.
Contact Back In Motion Mermaid Beach on 07 5575 3244 to book in a FREE initial assessment with our Womens Health Physiotherapist Lily.
Good results require determining the cause of your condition, and time for proper rehabilitation.