Kegels aren't for everyone

There are many ways to strengthen your pelvic floor that don't include Kegels. In fact, some people need to learn to relax the pelvic floor so if they are only practicing Kegels they could potentially make things worse or create symptoms. Kegels are another word for pelvic floor exercises. When I teach them I like to call them mindful Kegels. Its ideal to work with a pelvic floor physiotherapist so they can help you to discover if you need to work on contracting or relaxing or both. A Kegel is where you pinch off of close the doors of the vaginal wall and then gently lift up, its important to link it with your breath so as you inhale you relax and as you exhale you pinch and lift. Often times we aren't relaxing and the pelvic floor stays contracted throughout movement which can sometimes cause disruption within the body like low back pain, leakage, organ prolapse or abdominal separation. Pressure is a big part of this process so understanding the breath is a key component in conquering your pelvic health and low back pain. The other thing to keep in mind is we want to focus on total body strengthening. Having strong glutes, hamstrings and a strong core can help to support your pelvic floor so it can work in optimal function. If we are holding our breath through these strengthening exercises and causing a pressure imbalance, you may notice pain or other disruptions.