We understand that talking about pelvic floor dysfunction can seem embarrassing for some women and, oftentimes, they brush off symptoms as something all women experience and “normal”. We can help get you back to an actual your actual “normal” at Avila Physical Therapy.
Kara Vormittag, M.D. is a sports medicine physician that estimates pelvic floor dysfunction affects more than 30 percent of women in the general population, and is likely higher—more than 40 percent—in female athletes. While many of us aren’t athletes, as women we should be exercising a minimum of three times a week to help keep our bodies healthy and strong and a leaky bladder can sometimes get in the way or completely eliminate our ability to do so.
“Anyone who is leaking or experiencing pelvic pain during exercise should be evaluated by a pelvic PT, because this is not normal.” says Allyson Daugherty, owner and physical therapist at Avila Physical Therapy in Greenville, NC. “No woman should be limited in her daily activities and it’s time we work together towards a solution.”
Kegels are often prescribed to women for strengthening of their pelvic floor, but a strong pelvic floor is not necessarily a functional one. All of these muscles are meant to work together rather than in isolation.
Diaphragmatic Breathing, sometimes referred to as abdomen or belly breathing, is the first key to learning how to relax those deep core muscles Engaging this group of muscles is equally as important as doing your kegels, especially to female athletes who enjoy running or fast walking.
If you are experiencing any bladder leakage or pelvic discomfort, please open that conversation with one of our therapists and let us help you find your new “normal”.
For more information on exercise and your deep core muscles, please read this informative article published recently in Runner’s World.