Kegels.Pelvic floor exercise, also known as Kegel exercise (/ˈkeɪɡəl/), consists of repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor, now sometimes colloquially referred to as the “Kegel muscles”. Several tools exist to help with these exercises, although various studies debate the relative effectiveness of different tools versus traditional exercises.[1][2] Exercises are usually done to reduce urinary incontinence,[3] reduce urinary incontinence after childbirth,[4] and reduce premature ejaculatory occurrences in men,[5] as well as to increase the size and intensity of erections.[6] They were first described in 1948 by Arnold Kegel. -From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Q: Are they contraindicated for some people? 

A: Yes. I am proof that they are. I have been diagnosed with a hypertonic pelvic floor after a full 90 minute assessment at BC Women’s Hospital.

Do they work for incontinence? Yes (thankfully I don’t have that problem).

Find out if they are for you (or if you are even doing them correctly) by scheduling an appointment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Do yourself a favour. Do not buy into the blanket statement of 100-200 per day. Take control of your own pelvic health. When they are great they are really great, and if I suffered from any incontinence of any kind I’d be doing a ton. But I’m not and apparently a “too tight” pelvic floor is becomming literally an epidemic so I am not alone.

Too tight might sound great but tight = weak.

PS This is not an anti kegel post. When they are great they are really great. For someone like me, not so much.

Watch for pelvic health and safe core rehab workshops coming to my little space in Mount Pleasant in the fall at Studio245

Kegels