Is Pilates Good for Pelvic Floor Muscles?
When you are looking for a pelvic floor remedy for the inconvenient and sometimes embarrassing symptoms of a weak pelvic floor, it's only natural to look for solutions you can do on your own. There’s a good chance that you’ve been told to do Kegels at least once in your life, and it's not a bad suggestion. But are there other options that are easier to remember (and easier to do correctly) than Kegels? Thankfully, the answer is yes! At V Lounge, we help our patients regain their continence and take back their confidence. Though we think the Emsella® chair is a fabulous way to strengthen your pelvic floor, we are cheering on everyone looking to boost their pelvic floor strength through exercise and lifestyle changes too.
From time to time, our patients ask us, is Pilates good for pelvic floor muscles? These patients wonder if it would be a good idea to add Pilates to their routine and whether or not it will complement their Emsella® treatments. Pilates is an amazing mind-body exercise that offers many benefits to its participants. We think that Pilates can be a great addition to your self-care routine if it is something you enjoy. Let’s learn more about why Pilates can be a great way to help boost your pelvic floor strength.
What Is a Pelvic Floor?
Your pelvic floor is made up of the muscles located between the tailbone and the pelvis. Think of it as being the bottom of your torso, supporting all the important organs such as your bowels, bladder, and uterus (if you have one!). Your pelvic floor plays an important role in your overall health and well being. It is natural that over time, your pelvic floor can weaken just like other muscles in your body. For uterus owners, you may also experience a loss of pelvic floor function after giving birth. Though symptoms related to a weak pelvic floor are common, they certainly aren’t normal nor are they something you simply have to live with.
What Are Symptoms of a Weak Pelvic Floor?
Every body is different and not everyone will experience the same types of pelvic floor dysfunction. Below are some of the most common types of pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms that can be experienced. For some, more than one type of symptom can be experienced and other symptoms not listed here could be related to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Stress incontinence – such as leaking when you sneeze, jump, cough or laugh
Urge incontinence – such as sudden urge to urinate, possibly not making it to a washroom
Loss of sexual pleasure – reduced sensation or pain during sex
Vaginal prolapse - when organs drop out of their normal position
It is important to note that since every body is different, not all exercises or treatment options are suitable for everyone. We believe it is a good idea to seek support from a pelvic floor physiotherapist to determine the type of pelvic floor dysfunction you have and identify which types of treatments are best suited for you. Pelvic floor physiotherapy, Pilates, and Emsella® bladder leakage treatments all have their place and the one that works best for you is always your best option.
How Can Pilates Help My Pelvic Floor?
Pilates has the potential to benefit your pelvic floor by allowing you to focus on and strengthen the mind-muscle connection as it relates to your pelvic floor. When you participate in Pilates, the focus is on engaging and utilizing a specific muscle group for each exercise. Your core and pelvic floor muscles play a role in your stability and ability to perform exercises with other muscle groups. As you focus on engaging the muscles in your pelvic floor, you boost your mind-muscle connection and potentially strengthen your pelvic floor. As you continually activate your pelvic floor during your Pilates practice you may find that some symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction improve. If you’re up for it, give Pilates a try and see if you find it to be beneficial for your pelvic floor related concerns.
How Can I Strengthen My Pelvic Floor Without Breaking a Sweat?
Pilates has many benefits and is loved by its participants for its low impact (no jumping thanks!) yet high intensity workouts. Though Pilates may be beneficial to your pelvic floor it isn’t for everyone. There are endless reasons why participating in an activity such as Pilates may not be right for you and thankfully it isn’t your only option when it comes to treating bladder leakage and urinary incontinence. Working with a pelvic floor physiotherapist can be a great first step towards understanding your pelvic floor dysfunction and learning if you could be a good candidate for Emsella® treatments.
If you’re looking for a pelvic floor remedy that doesn’t require a workout, Emsella® might just be the treatment for you. Learn more about how you can transform your pelvic floor and regain your continence in as little as six sessions.Book your free demo today and let us show you how a strong pelvic floor and leak-free bladder is possible, all while you sit down and relax.
