Pelvic Floor Strengthening

Pelvic Floor Strengthening Program

If you have suffered from the embarrassment of unexpected leakage while playing a sport or you have purchased panty liners and fear you need more leakage protection, our unique pelvic floor strengthening program can help you.

The pelvic floor is made up of a group of muscles that act like a hammock to hold and support pelvic organs such as the bladder and uterus. As they contract and relax they control the opening and closing of the urethra, the canal that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. When too weak the muscles cause the urethra to open too easily and allow unexpected and unwanted urine leaks. Laugh without Leaks is the name we have given to our program for pelvic area muscular weakness and imbalances. It is intended to help those who have lost tone in their pelvic muscles.

The pelvic floor muscles may weaken due to pregnancy and childbirth, injury, surgery, or lack of exercise. A doctor or health care professional may have advised Kegel Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. Kegels are easy to learn and simple to do. While urinating, try to stop the flow of urine and repeat the stop and start as often as you can. Hold each contraction up to 5 seconds. Once you learn the simple contractions you can perform them at any time or place. If you do them right, no one will know you are doing them. Doing them often is the key. As you progress, learn to tighten your pelvic floor before you sneeze, cough, laugh, or get up from a chair. This may help you regain control of your bladder and urine.

For some women with more frequent stress incontinence and weaker pelvic floor muscles, Kegels may not be enough. The physiotherapists at Atrium Physiotherapy have been using the “Roll for Control” exercise program designed by Janet Hulme a physiotherapist with many years experience treating women’s health problems. It targets and strengthens the pelvic rotator cuff muscles. With the same thought that strengthening the shoulder rotator cuff can maximize the shoulder strength so can strengthening the pelvic rotator cuff strengthen the pelvic region as a whole. It has been tested and proven to be more effective than just Kegels.

Our programs have been designed by especially trained physiotherapists to meet your individual needs. Using the most recent research and the latest technology an individual comprehensive program of exercise, muscle stimulation and education can be created for you to do in the clinic or in the comfort of your own home.