Stop The Leak - Kegel Exercise

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Kegel or pelvic floor exercises are easy. Best of all, these vital muscles aren’t visible to other people, so no one can tell when you’re exercising them on the bus, in the office or simply relaxing in front of the TV.

If you have stress incontinence or mixed incontinence, these exercises could be very beneficial. In fact, up to 70% of people with stress incontinence experience improvements. 

FIND YOUR PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES 

While going to the restroom, try to pause while urinating. If you are able to stop and continue urinating again, congratulations, you’ve successfully contracted your pelvic floor muscles and completed your first Kegel exercise. If not, try this:

• When contracting these muscles, it should feel like a lift and squeeze, as though you are drawing or squeezing your navel toward your spine.
• You should not be tensing your buttocks.
• If you are unable to feel these muscles contract, or unable to control your bladder while urinating, consult your healthcare professional.

1. Get Started

Once you’ve found the right muscles, you can start exercising them several times a day (30-40 repetitions in total) while sitting, standing, or lying down. 

2. Contracting the muscles

When contracting these muscles, it should feel as though you are squeezing and lifting them slightly up into the body. There shouldn’t be any tensing of the buttocks or thighs, although tightening your anus can help (as if holding in wind).

3. Hold & Squeeze

First, just hold and squeeze your muscles for a second or two. Then gradually build it up to 10 seconds. Repeat as often as you can, building up to 10 repetitions. 

4. Rest

Rest between squeezes for the same amount of time as you have contracted your muscles, i.e. rest for 10 seconds after holding for 10 seconds. 

5. Laughing & Coughing

You can also squeeze your pelvic floor muscles when laughing or coughing to prevent losses.
 

You should notice a reduction in leaks within 2 to 4 months of starting your Kegel exercises. Exercise for at least 6 months to build up your strength. For continued benefits, make Kegel exercises a permanent part of your daily routine - you can do them anywhere, at any time and it is never too late to get started!

 

Source: Prime Magazine Jun - Jul 2017 Issue. Reproduced with permission.
 

 

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