Perineal and pelvic rehabilitation is an approach that treats pelvic floor dysfunctions such as incontinence, organ descent, certain sexual disorders or pain in the pelvic-perineal, anorectal and lumbar belt regions.

Calgary Physiotherapist SW has been practicing perineal and pelvic rehabilitation for many years. In this article, we will tell you some false beliefs that physiotherapists hear most often in the context of their profession.

The pelvic floor: what is it?

The pelvic floor is the group of muscles located at the base of the pelvis. It supports the pelvic organs and it closes openings such as the urethra and anus in order to retain urine, stools and gas.

However, its function is not limited to this. It also serves to stabilize the pelvis to which the spine and lower limbs are attached. It therefore occupies a central role in maintaining good posture.

False

Perineal and pelvic rehabilitation is not effective for the elderly

Elderly people suffering from a problem related to the pelvic floor, such as incontinence (urinary or faecal) or even organ descent, tend to think "I'm too late for that, it won't be effective".

However, it is never too late to start doing perineal rehabilitation. Even if your problems have existed for a long time or your childbirth dates back several years, perineal rehabilitation will often be effective in improving your daily life.

False

Men cannot do perineal rehabilitation because they do not have a perineum

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Calgary is aimed at both men and women. Contrary to some beliefs humans have a perineum and a pelvic floor. The male pelvic floor originates from the pubis, surrounds the base of the penis and anus, and extends to the tailbone.

It provides continence of urine, stool and gas, pelvic support and lumbopelvic stabilization while participating in sexual function. The man can therefore suffer from problems associated with the pelvic floor such as incontinence or perineal pain.

False

The “stop pee” technique is recommended to strengthen my pelvic floor

Some people think that holding urine several times while it is passing is an effective exercise for training the pelvic floor. Unfortunately, this practice can cause UTIs.

This is because when the pelvic floor contracts, it can prevent the bladder from emptying properly. The urine that remains in the bladder becomes a favourable environment for bacterial proliferation leading to urinary tract infections.

In addition, if the emptying is incomplete, the next urination will be closer, which is not necessarily an advantage. This exercise should therefore be avoided.

False

Everyone Should Do Kegel Exercises to Strengthen Their Pelvic Floor

Kegel exercises are a series of exercises to strengthen the muscles of the perineum. Although they are known to be very effective for many problems, they may prove to be inappropriate for some people.

For people who suffer from resting pelvic tension (hypertonic), treatment goals are different. These patients have been shown to have pelvic floor weakness and lack of endurance.

They must therefore learn to release in order to know how to contract and learn to contract in order to know how to release. We are looking for a normalization, a balance.

In addition, these patients often lose reflex contractions during exercise (coughing, sneezing, lifting weights, jumps) and it is therefore important to work on this aspect. Kegel exercises should therefore be used differently depending on the problem to be solved.