It’s an embarrassing subject for sure, and certainly not something you’re going to admit to at the beginning of a fitness class when the instructor asks if anyone has any injuries or ailments.
The statistics show pelvic floor dysfunction is highly prevalent in active females (and I would estimate a large amount of inactive too) yet it’s rarely screened for in gyms or fitness classes. As a fitness coach with a large female client base, I couldn’t overlook this problem anymore.
Urinary incontinence affects 200 million people worldwide, with 1 in 4 women over the age of 18 experience episodes of leaking urine involuntary. The NHS estimates that between 3 – 6 million people in the UK have some degree of incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause being the main reasons of incontinence.
It goes without saying that all of the above will have some impact on mental health and without correct rehabilitation, sufferers can be left feeling hopeless.
Until now…
After much research and guidance I found an educator of this topic and can now offer pelvic floor rehabilitaiton workshops and programmes at New Dimensions Fitness Studio as well as an online module.
What to expect in the workshops and online modules.
The duration is approx an hour and you will learn about the pelvic floor, dysfunctions of the bladder and most imprtantly, how to rebuild the muscles to gain normal control again.
Traditional Kegel exercises do not really work for most incontinent women. In order for the exercise to be functional, you have to train functionally. This requires training in full range of motion not ismoteric exercises like laying down and squeezing.
I have found the best movements patterns to be those that mimic daily living like squats, lunges, bending, twisting and balancing. All of which need to be co-ordinated with the contraction of the pelvic floor and diaphragm.
Since launching the workshops feedback has been very positive, with one female stating she has experienced no leaking at all since attending.
If you would like to attend a Pelvic Floor Workshop please visit our Pelvic Floor Health page for more information and workshop dates.
