Most people know what a kegel is, or at least they have heard of kegels before. In fact, sometimes the only thing people know about the pelvic floor are kegels. In clinic, if I suspect the pelvic floor is involved in someone’s pain or issue, I’ll ask – “do you know a little bit about your pelvic floor?” And sometimes they’ll respond with “kegels, right?” And they aren’t wrong! A kegel is a voluntary

contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. Like flexing your bicep, but with the pelvic floor instead.

But there is SO much more to the pelvis and the pelvic girdle than just kegels … (the pelvic girdle is the whole bowl of the pelvis, including both sides of the pelvic bones, the pelvic floor, the lower lumbar spine and both hip joints and muscles).

Kegels are just 1 small exercise and it’s all most people know about the pelvic floor.

Yes, kegels can be useful for many women to help improve strength and tone in the pelvic floor… but this isn’t the case for everyone which is why it’s important to understand the pelvic floor, the way it works and the way it heals in order to fully recover postpartum.

If you see your OBGYN or family doctor for your 6-week follow up, and you express ANYthing that is causing you discomfort or concern in regards to your healing, recovery or just overall function and their response is simply “keep doing kegels”, then I advise you to seek out a qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist so that they can do a full assessment and determine what exercises and practices are best for you.

“Keep doing kegels” is just simply not enough and misrepresents the complexity and uniqueness of the pelvic floor, the pelvic girdle and the body as a whole.

The pelvic floor is a piece of a puzzle, and assessment of the trunk, hips and pelvis and the way they work together is integral to a full and proper recovery.

If you’re reading this thinking, “Oh crap, I didn’t get a check up when I was first postpartum and now it’s too late” – great news for you! The pelvic floor is adaptable and trainable… at any age and stage! If you have any issues with leaking, pain around the tailbone, deep hip pain, lateral hip pain, pelvic heaviness or even chronic low back pain that is not alleviated by other treatments… see a therapist who also treats the pelvic floor! I have had many patients whose pelvic related pain or dysfunction has improved by simply understanding more about the pelvic floor and the way it works together with the torso and hips without even doing an internal exam! (So neat!) There are many techniques everyone can use throughout their day and during exercise to provide support and strengthen the pelvic floor – just have to know what they are!

The body is so incredibly amazing, but it can seem too complex. Working with someone who can explain the way it works in a way that you can digest and understand can do wonders for the way you feel and the confidence you have in your own body.

Kegels have a role in pelvic floor recovery, but it’s only 1 small piece of the pie.

If you’d like to learn more and help better understand and connect to your body, check out the 2 courses offered by Maternix! I (an orthopaedic and pelvic floor Physio) teach about the pelvic floor, the body as a whole, the core, ways to reduce stress on the body, ways to improve and prevent leaking, prolapse, low back pain, hip pain and more! And better yet, I teach you how to do all these things in your day to day as well as during exercise! Jeez.. I think I just sold myself! (Lol)

If you have questions or would like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to use the chat function on www.Maternix.ca, DM me @maternix.ca or shoot me an email at info@maternix.ca. Would LOVE to chat!

Thanks for reading and learning and caring!

Fun fact: Kegel is the last name of Arnold Kegel who was an American Gynaecologist who prescribed pelvic floor contractions and relaxations as a non-surgical treatment to urinary incontinence from pelvic floor muscle weakness.

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