The human body is a hub of organs that help it move. It can be affected by many things that don’t suit our body system. Pelvic pain is one of those disorders that makes your whole body discomfort and sometimes gives you unbearable pain. There are many causes of it, you can manage it with physical therapies, which are more effective and a long-term solution for the pelvic pain. Doctors and physiotherapists help patients reduce pain through pelvic floor relaxation exercises, which are easy to perform.
Common and accessible Pelvic Floor Therapy Exercises
Pelvic pain has many causes and stages, and each needs a different type of exercise to reduce pelvic discomfort. In this article, you will find many exercises to do at home, including pelvic floor exercises men and women for better results. Lake County Physical Therapy provides economical services to address this uncomfortable body situation.
All the exercises discussed here are based on lying down, so you can easily practice them at home. Here are some pelvic floor therapy exercises:
- Deep breathing technique:
The first and most important exercise to reduce pain is lying down on the floor with two cushions under your lap. Put your right hand on the centre of your chest and the other one under your belly button in the pelvic area. Take a deep breath in and out. This helps your belly stretch naturally to soften your muscles.
- Modify the Half Butterfly Stretch:
For this exercise, lie down on the floor and place two cushions near your knees. Then, slide one leg up at a time. For example, slide the right leg up and stretch it on the right side where you placed the cushions. If you feel discomfort while stretching, try doubling the height of the cushion during your first practice.
- Knee to chest stretch:
Lie down straight and pull your legs towards your chest one by one, or you can do both legs at a time. It will also help to minimise your pain.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises for Different Complex Issues
Pelvic floor muscles support other organs around the pelvis, so this part needs to be healthy and strong. Exercise can improve the muscles of the bony pelvis, girdle, and pelvic bone to work smoothly for bladder and bowel movements.
Lake County Physical Therapy Clinic suggests rehab for pelvic relief. They offer expert massage and exercise to improve the pelvic area. The following paragraphs give brief pelvic floor therapy exercises for both genders with different issues related to the pelvis.
Let’s jump into the exercises, which are designed for beginners, regardless of gender.
3 Beginner Pelvic Floor Exercises for Complex Pelvic Pain
Suppose this is your first time facing this, and you’re unfamiliar with complex pelvic disorder. In that case, we suggest trying the simplest muscle-softening exercises for the pelvic area to see if they work. Secondly, you can visit nearby urogynecologists for step-ahead treatment. Basic beginner pelvic floor exercises are:
- Half squats (during this exercise, inhale when you go down and exhale when you straighten up).
Bolster movement: for this, take a rolled towel or a bolster, sit on it with one side of your hip down and the other side up in the air, and then lift it up. This exercise helps you to hip up and stretch your muscles.
- Long sitting: Sit with your legs straight in front of you, and then place your left heel out to the left side while breathing in. Keep your toes out and breathe out. You can implement it on both legs, one after the other.
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Men Issues
Pelvic floor exercises also help men deal with pelvic problems, especially Kegel pelvic floor exercises, which are more beneficial for men with pelvic tension. Usually, men are less likely to have this issue. Only 16% of men are diagnosed with this condition, but the intensity and pain are equal in both genders. The pelvic area not only helps in urination, but for men, it is also essential in the reproductive process.
- Kegel pelvic floor exercises:
Kegel activities are easy: clench and release your muscles, which helps strengthen your bladder and improve your bowel movement. For better results, do kegels at least three times a day.
- Baby crawling pose:
Come over on your hands and knees and gradually stand up. If this position is uncomfortable, you can modify it by using a cushion on your legs. Try to sit on that. Gently put your hand under your forehead and rest your foot. Take a deep breath in and out. This stretch is called the child pose in yoga.
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Women Issues
The pelvic floor works the same for both men and women. In addition, it also supports the mother’s womb in women. Women face excessive pelvic problems because of body plumpness, chronic conditions, pregnancies, hormonal changes, and other pelvic surgery weaken the pelvis compared to men. Incontinence is a common problem associated with pelvic floor irritation. Pelvic floor relaxation exercises give women confidence to overcome this complication.
- Bridge pose :
For this stretch, lie on your back, fold your knees, and place your arms parallel to your upper body. Lift your body up towards the ceiling. Manage to be in this position for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Heel slides:
Lie on your back with your legs bent. Push your back to the ground. While holding your breath, move your leg back and forth to loosen your muscles.
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Pregnancy
Women suffer pelvic floor pain most during their pregnancy. Which is the crucial time period for them, and they need extra care for themselves and the fetus.
Lake County Physical Therapy Clinic also has insurance policies for better and economical treatments for everyone. Recommended exercises not only help you to reduce pelvic floor pain but also make it easy for you to give birth and address pelvic floor exercises postpartum and other problems.
These exercises can be modified according to the trimester. If you are in the first trimester, you can sit on a ball or a chair. In the second trimester, you can go into the hands and knees position to do these comfortably. In the third trimester, lying on your side is better due to the large baby bump. Pelvic floor exercises pregnancy are beneficial for both mother and child.
Holding breath and releasing exercise: Sit on an exercise ball in a relaxed position and hold something like a ball, an apple, or a lightweight object. Inhale and shrink your pelvic area inside, then count 1 – 10 or as per your buildup. Then release breath.
This exercise is best for pregnancy. It helps prevent leakage while sneezing and laughing.
Pelvic Floor Exercises For Prolapse
This condition occurs when the tissues around the pelvis become weakened and fall into the vegina. If it gets severe, it will come out of the vegina with unusual extension. 37% of women face pelvic floor prolapse. Exercises are mandatory to deal with this problem.
- Aqua Arobic
- Bird dog exercise
- Leg Raise
- Cycling
- Kegel Exercise
- Bridge Pose
Incontinence pelvic floor exercises for seniors
Old age brings several body tensions, and diabetes is one of the causes of this disorder, which can lead to incontinence. This problem basically weakens your bladder control, and your pee leaks without your knowledge.
You can treat it by visiting a therapist, which costs almost 100$ to 300$ without insurance, and with a copay, it will be just in 25$. These Incontinence pelvic floor exercises help you to refine your muscles.
- Squats stretches:
Squeeze your pelvic muscles while squatting and apply pressure to them in an angled position.
- Bladder timing practice:
Try to increase the time between each urination session, which will help reskill your pee-leaking matter.
Hypertonic Pelvic Floor Exercises
Hypertonic pelvic floor is a muscle problem that causes the pelvis to be lax and weak. It can be temporary or permanent. Stretching therapy helps tighten the pelvis. Hypertonic pelvic floor exercises are a game-changer, but you should improve your daily sleeping, sitting, and walking routine.
Sleeping Tip:
- The most comfortable and secure position to sleep in is on your side with your knees bent and a soft pillow between your legs.
Recommended Exercises: Abductor stretching, Squatting, Child pose, Bending knees, Diaphragmatic Breathing.
Best Kegel Pelvic Floor Exercises
The best Kegel pelvic exercise is to lie down on your side, place a pillow between your thighs, and follow these steps:
Step # 1:
Shrink your pelvic area inside your body, like blocking your urine for 2 to 3 seconds, then release it.
Step # 2:
Now shrink your butt hole because its back of your pelvic and will help you to improve pelvic.
Step # 3:
Do these things one at a time, hold, and then release.
Are the Pelvic Floor Exercises effective enough to treat this disorder?
Pelvic floor pain makes you uneasy and cranky all the time, and it snatches the joy out of your life. To treat this disorder, make sure to practice the exercises given above daily for better results. Pelvic floor relaxation exercises help relax the muscles, strengthen them, and improve muscle control in the pelvic area. It is definitely a fantastic and fruitful therapy to do easily at home, but if the pelvic problem gets worse must consult the doctor for surgical treatment.
FAQ’s
Why are pelvic floor exercises important?
Because the pelvic area supports other organs in this area, it is definitely important to practice exercises to improve the functioning of the bladder, bowel movements, and uterus.
What exercises are bad for the pelvic floor?
All exercises that include heavy lifting, jumping, and fast activity are highly recommended by doctors.
How to do pelvic floor exercises for men?
There is no difference in the pain frequency of the pelvic floor in both genders. But Kegel exercise is the best option for men to treat the pelvic floor. You need to clench and release the muscles in your pelvis.
When do I start pelvic floor exercises after birth?
After birth in the postpartum period, whenever you feel comfortable and no longer suffer in your belly and veginal area. Then you can start your pelvic floor exercises.