For years, the pelvic floor has gone seemingly unnoticed in the world of health and fitness. Buried deep within your body, this crucial muscle group quietly supports your pelvic organs, giving you the strength you need to laugh, dance, and avoid embarrassing accidents. However, there is more to the pelvic floor than meets the eye - learning to nurture and develop this area can bring transformative benefits to your life.
Internal pelvic floor techniques are exercises that directly target this overlooked but vital powerhouse, offering relief from a myriad of common issues, including incontinence, prolapse, and pelvic pain. This guide will walk you through the basics of these life-changing techniques, presenting you with simple steps to gain control over your body and unlock your full potential.
The pelvic floor is a complex system of muscles and connecting tissues that span the base of your spine, creating a supportive sling for various critical organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Just like any other muscle, keeping the pelvic floor strong is essential for its proper functioning, and when neglected or compromised by injury, illness, or childbirth, it can lead to a host of undesirable symptoms.
Thankfully, there are practices specifically designed to target your pelvic floor, enabling you to regain control, increase strength, and improve your quality of life. Internal pelvic floor techniques focus primarily on exercises that involve actively engaging and relaxing muscles to restore balance and harmony.
Internal Pelvic Floor Techniques Example: Starting with the Basics - kegel exercises
One of the most well-known internal pelvic floor techniques is the simple yet effective Kegel exercise. Created by Dr. Arnold Kegel in the 1940s, this technique has quickly become the go-to method for those seeking to improve pelvic floor strength.
To perform kegel exercises, follow these steps:
1. Identify your pelvic floor muscles
To locate the muscles responsible for this exercise, try stopping your urine flow midstream or tightening the muscles that prevent you from passing gas. These are the pelvic floor muscles you'll be working with.
2. Engage the muscles
Contract your pelvic floor muscles, holding them tight for 3-5 seconds. Remember to breathe evenly and avoid clenching your stomach or buttocks.
3. Release and rest
Relax your pelvic floor muscles for 3-5 seconds after contraction, allowing them to return to their resting state.
4. Repeat and advance
Perform 10-15 repetitions, at least three times a day, gradually increasing the duration and intensity as your strength improves.
Other Techniques: Further Strengthening and Stretching
In addition to kegel exercises, consider incorporating other internal pelvic floor techniques into your routine for even better results. Here are two more practices to get you started:
1. Pelvic Tilts
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Contract your pelvic floor muscles and lift your hips towards the ceiling. Hold this position for a few seconds before slowly releasing back to the floor. Complete 10-15 repetitions.
2. Diaphragmatic Breathing
Lie on your back or sit comfortably, placing one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Inhale deeply, focusing on expanding your diaphragm, causing your abdomen to rise instead of your chest. Exhale, engaging your pelvic floor muscles and allowing your abdomen to fall. Repeat 10-15 times.
As demonstrated by these internal pelvic floor techniques, taking care of your body goes beyond the surface. With simple exercises and conscious effort, you can unlock the hidden strength and potential within your pelvic core, vastly improving your quality of life. Now that you've explored this fascinating and highly beneficial world, we encourage you to share this post with others, helping to spread the message of pelvic floor health far and wide.
