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Is it possible to overdo pelvic floor exercises?

Posted , 13 users are following.

claire63612
claire63612

I downloaded the Squeezy App and started doing the pelvic floor exercise routine two days ago. 

For those of you who don't know it...it sends you a reminder three times a day to do a set of 10 long squeezes and then 10 short squeezes.

Well.... I went at it with determination and it was a bit of a struggle to get thro the 10 long ones but I did it and squeezed for all I was worth.  Did three sets yesterday thinking I was doing myself some good.

Now I think I may have overdone it cos I've been aching and feeling really strange.  

 BTW I'm 4 weeks post op now.

 

0 likes, 41 replies

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  • Jan999
    Jan999 claire63612

    Posted

    Did your consultant give you any information about when to start pelvic floor exercises? Some say 6 weeks.
    • claire63612
      claire63612 Jan999

      Posted

      I saw the physio at 3 weeks and we talked about it.  I presumed it was ok to start.   Are you thinking it's too soon?  I've stopped it now as I've become quite tender/achy round the abdomen (no pain when I press it though).  Just generally more aware of my abdomen than I was before I started (if that makes sense)

       

    • Jan999
      Jan999 claire63612

      Posted

      I know some physios are keen for patients to start asap but I think before 6 weeks it does cause discomfort. I do think 6 weeks when the swelling has started to reduce is much more sensible and what difference is 3 weeks going to make?
  • DorryC
    DorryC claire63612

    Posted

    It could be that you did to many or it could be that kegels aren't right for you.

    Pelvic floor exercises are not good for everyone and they can make things worse for the wrong person.  I am one of those people.  You can absolutely have a prolapse and tight pelvic floor muscles.  Kegels can send your pelvic floor into spasm which feels very weird and uncomfortable.  The blanket recommendations for all women to do kegels makes me nuts.  They are not good for everyone.

    if you search for "pelvicpainrehab why kegels are bad for you" (no quotes in search) you will, I hope, come up with an article by a pelvic floor physio on their professional blog about why kegels are not for everyone... Who they help and who they hurt.  I suggested that link on the sticky on resources and hopefully it will make it through. I can also PM you the link if you want.  

    you can also find more information if you look up "pelvic floor dysfunction" or "pelvic floor in spasm".   There are also relaxation exercises you can do though it is easier to learn with a physio.

    it could also be that kegels are appropriate ( and helpful!) for you and that was just too much.  That app is probably aimed at the general population of women, not people recovering from surgery.  You are still healing and even if kegels are right for you, it makes sense to start slow.  Maybe just 1 set and if 10 is too many, that's ok.  You can build up over time.

    • DorryC
      DorryC

      Posted

      Or too soon, like matron said smile
    • jan05416
      jan05416 DorryC

      Posted

      Would it be possible to send me this link please dorryc X
    • moira13817
      moira13817 DorryC

      Posted

      I googled why Kegels are bad for you.  I'm really surprised at the recommendation to do squats.  Everything I've seen and heard says that squats put a lot of pressure on the pelvis and are really bad for you.
    • DorryC
      DorryC moira13817

      Posted

      Oof,  I don't think the article I wanted to come up did, if you got that article.  The article I wanted to share is actually a response to that article by a pelvic floor physio and it talks about who they are good and bad for.   They also talk about which parts of that article they agree and disagree with.   The article by the physio doesn't recommend squats instead.   The domain is Pelvicpainrehab.  

      I will follow this message with a link and hopefully the moderator will let it through.  It is from a blog by pelvic floor physios in California.  They aren't selling anything, except their services if you happen to be local.  There is a link on the side to their book on Amazon.  I think they are just trying to increase awareness and education about pelvic floor issues.  

    • Jan999
      Jan999 DorryC

      Posted

      Interesting article Dorry which is going to initiate some discussion. I haven't read it before so I'm going to share it with some if the Urogynaecologists and research nurses I know. Thank you 
    • Hijadeonagro
      Hijadeonagro Jan999

      Posted

      Good article! At 2 months post op when I had my first app with a physio she told me that I had both a tight and a weak pelvic floor. She was massaging the area for a month once a week to clear up the tightness and she told me to stop kegels. And once the pelvic floor muscles were not too tight, then she told me to go on kegels. Squats are good also because they strengthen all the bottom muscles, in fact before my surgery I used to do squats quite often as part of my PF treatment. The physio I'm seeing now who is an expert in the field, told me to do kegels this way: activate the "transversus abdominus" firstly and then squeeze the vagina and anus for 10 sec. Hugs!!!!!
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