Post-Partum Physical Therapy: Debunking the Kegel

Did you know that following pregnancy all women in France get a prescription for physical therapy? More than half of women experience urinary incontinence either during or after pregnancy. Unfortunately, in the USA most women are simply told to “do your kegels” and sent on their way, but the fact is most women end up doing them wrong, and you may be doing yourself a disservice. A kegel is a contraction of the pelvic floor; the muscular sling that sits within the pelvis. The pelvic floor consists of multiple tiny muscles and they perform two main functions: to keep your vaginal and rectal openings closed when they need to be (ex. Coughing, sneezing, running, etc.) and for postural support at your pelvis, low back, and internal organs. Performing kegel exercises without really knowing what you’re doing can lead to tightness and pain within these muscles and may only create more issues.

Here are some basic tips for starting your pelvic floor rehabilitation:

• Begin on your back. The difficulty of contracting a weak muscle will always be influenced by gravity. While performing your contractions in sitting or standing may be more convenient, you’re making your pelvic floor work against gravity. By starting out lying down (or even with your hips elevated on a wedge) you are reducing the impact of gravity and therefore more likely to isolate the right muscles, which brings us to the next point…