Kegels are a HOT topic right now in the pelvic floor world. Some swear by them. Some absolutely despise them. So let’s dive in and figure out the truth about kegels!
What is a kegel? A kegel is simply a contraction of the pelvic floor muscles with the goal of strengthening the pelvic floor.
What do we know about kegels?
You may NOT even be doing them correctly. Studies have shown that only 60% of women asked to do a kegel perform an actual pelvic floor contraction. That means if you are trying to use kegels to strengthen your pelvic floor but haven’t been assessed by a pelvic floor physical therapist, you may not be working the muscles you think you are working which in turn will not give you the results you want.
Kegels actually WORSEN some conditions.
While kegels can help in cases, they can actually hinder in other cases. Some pain conditions may be worsened by kegels, and some pelvic floor conditions may actually be caused by a hypertonic pelvic floor which won’t be improved by repetitive contractions of the already over-active pelvic floor.
Kegels alone will not improve pain, leaking, or pressure with activity.
The pelvic floor muscles are rarely used consciously and almost never used in isolation, therefore isolated pelvic floor contractions may strengthen the pelvic floor musculature, but if this is all you do, your function will not change. An essential part of the rehab process is learning to coordinate your pelvic floor with your deep core and progressing your functional strengthening.
Our conclusion: Kegels are not bad but only a small part of the rehab process when appropriate!
In our opinion, kegels have their place within pelvic floor rehabilitation BUT should never be used in isolation. If you’re trying to overcome pelvic floor issues, it’s important to address coordination, tone, and progressive functional training. If kegels are all you are doing or all your therapist is having you do, it’s time to make a change. It is ESSENTIAL to be assessed by a physical therapist trained in pelvic floor therapy to understand what role kegels should or should not play in your treatment and care. So if you’re ready to find out if kegels are right for you, find a pelvic floor therapist like us at Life Changes Physical Therapy today!
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