Should I start doing kegels again?
Traditional pelvic floor squeezes work the band of muscles called the levator ani they have a huge role in supporting our body to function:
The levator ani muscle has several important roles in the pelvic floor:
Supporting Pelvic Organs: It acts like a hammock, providing support to the pelvic organs, including the bladder, intestines, and, in women, the uterus. This support helps maintain the proper position and function of these organs.
Maintaining Continence: The levator ani plays a critical role in controlling the release of urine and feces. By maintaining tension around the urethra and anal canal, it helps ensure continence.
Facilitating Childbirth: In women, the levator ani assists during childbirth by helping to guide the baby's head through the birth canal.
Stabilizing the Core: It contributes to core stability by working in concert with other muscles of the pelvis, abdomen, and back, helping to support posture and movement.
Sexual Function: It contributes to sexual function by supporting the organs involved and enhancing sensations.
In summary, the levator ani is crucial for supporting pelvic organs, maintaining continence, assisting in childbirth, stabilizing the core, and contributing to sexual function.
The issue is that for many women with pelvic floor dysfunction their body has already noticed that something is up.
and it has already taken measures by tighting the glutes (causing the bum to tuck under) to help create tension in the levator ani. Or by gripping the ribs to try and lift the levator ani from above again creating tension in the pelvic floor (LA).
Then we start kegels from this point of tension - moving from tension to more tension and back to tension. Initially we may feel a difference but eventually even these powerhouse muscles get tired and we may feel that suddenly our symptoms have got worse.
Hypopressives work by using breath and posture patterns to first release the tension and get back a great resting tone and secondly by using our bodies own lift system via our diaphrams and fascia to create a deep lift inside our abdominals that create a traction upwards of our pelvic organs- reducing pressure and allowing our body breathing space to heal.
So, yes you can do traditional kegels again if you want to- but be mindful that you release fully after each squeeze - this can add a little help to creating more support from below the pelvic organs as we use Hypopressives to lift from above.
Just don't do them at the same time!!
