KEGEL OR NO?

tO KEGEL OR NOT TO KEGEL? that is the question.

Social media is all the rage with conflicting and contradictory information on if kegels are recommended to help with your pelvic floor issues.

The short answer is— it depends. The long answer is— it depends on what your issue is; if your issue is pelvic pain, pain with sex, recurrent UTIs, painful bladder syndrome, or constipation, then no, kegels are not going to help you and may make your symptoms worse; if your issue is weakness, laxity of connective tissue, leakage of urine with coughing/sneezing/jumping/running, or prevention of pelvic organ prolapse then yes, kegels very well may help you!

Kegels have been described as far back as ancient yoga practice as “mula bandha”, the practice of drawing the root chakra up and in. The root chakra is said to be located at the base of the torso, or the perineum, which is the area between your anus and genitals. Obstetrician Dr Arthur Kegel first described pelvic floor muscle strengthening in publications in 1948 to prevent pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. The field of pelvic floor physical therapy had its roots in the Women’s Health Movement of the 70s with pioneers in the field such as Illinois’ Rhonda Kotarinos (one of my clinical instructors in PT school!) in the late 70s and early 80s who advocated for physical therapy for postpartum women, and in the late 80s and 90s with Washington’s Hollis Herman and Kathy Wallace (creators of the continuing education & Pelvic Rehab Practitioner Certification where I received my specialty!).

Today in 2024, there is “Level A” clinical research to support that pelvic floor muscle strengthening (kegels) can CURE stress urinary incontinence. That is a BIG deal. This means there is strong recommendation with consistent evidence from multiple studies that clinicians should follow. So there is without a doubt a time and place for kegels!

So should you kegel? You can find out from a skilled and experienced pelvic floor physical therapist if it’s appropriate for your individual needs.

Your body, your needs, your therapy. At Studio Rehab, we believe in creating a treatment plan that is specific to you. Assessment will include posture and movement analysis, test and measures, joint mobility and range of motion, muscle length and flexibility, strength tests, and pelvic floor muscle assessment relevant to your issues. Treatments sessions are individualized based on initial evaluation and diagnosis, and may include manual therapy, joint mobilizations, dry needling with electric stimulation, soft tissue mobilizations, cupping, corrective exercises, home exercise program, education, body mechanics, posture, and Pilates reformer and pelvic floor specific interventions.

Dr Amanda Fitzgerald is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Pelvic Rehab Practitioner Specialist, and Pilates Certified Instructor. Her passion for treating the pelvic floor began with working with postpartum moms taking her Baby & Me Pilates classes in Chicago circa 2006.

Peace, Love, Pilates & Pelvic Floor

Amanda Fitzgerald, Physical Therapist, Pelvic Rehab Practitioner Specialist, Certified Pilates Instructor