Pelvic floor exercises for incontinence

The best way to prevent or reduce the frequency of urine leakage is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles by doing the exercises described below. These exercises are more effective if you suffer from stress incontinence. Other types of bladder weakness require other kinds of treatment. That, though, is something you should first discuss with your doctor. With effective treatment you can soon regain your confidence.

Before you start exercising your pelvic floor muscles, it is important to identify the right muscle area. This is how:

• Draw your sphincter muscles together, as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine.
• If you have drawn the correct muscles together, you will feel a slight "lifting" of the muscles inwards and upwards.
• It is important to check! Sit on a chair, place your fingertips under your buttocks – so you can feel both seat bones – and engage your pelvic floor muscles until you can feel the change under your fingertips.
• Sit on your flat hands, and draw the pelvic floor inwards and upwards, checking whether you can feel less weight on your hands.

First choose the positions in which you can best tighten your pelvic floor. Over time, the other positions will follow.

The practical thing about pelvic floor exercises is that they can be easily integrated into everyday life: while you're on the phone, on the train, in the office, watching TV, etc. They can be done without attracting any attention. Each exercise is based on assuming the correct physical position – stand with feet hip-width apart, spine straight and extended, shoulders loose and relaxed over the chest, and eyes looking straight ahead.

• If you have to lift something heavy, always tighten your pelvic floor muscles and keep your back and neck lengthened. Breathe out as you lift, and use your legs to straighten yourself up.
• It is worthwhile looking after and exercising your muscles throughout your life. So whenever you have to bend down to lift something up, make sure you take care of your pelvic floor and your back.
• Build these exercises into your daily life and your leisure time. Practice – and keep practising – and be patient. Don't get discouraged if the desired effect doesn't kick in when you've only recently started on the exercises. To achieve your goal, you need to practice them regularly and correctly.
• Ask your doctor or a pelvic floor specialist for advice. If you see no improvement after two to three months of regular pelvic floor exercises, it would be a good idea to visit your doctor to check that you are doing them correctly.

Photos and text: BeBo ® Gesundheitstraining, www.beckenboden.com