Pilates is great for ab/back and pelvic floor strengthening! Have any of
you been to a Feldenkrais Pelvic Power workshop? I highly recommend
it. You may be able to find more info by searching the internet for either
"Pelvic Power" or "Feldenkrais. I have a friend in Brisbane who teaches
it. It should be compulsory for all women!!!
Meaghan
At 07:24 AM 8/29/05, you wrote:
Hi - I have recently returned to the list after several years absence. I
am interested in the discussion sparked by Sue following her visit to the
incontinence clinic. I have had some conversations recently with a physio
who specialises in pilates and has a specific interest in pelvic floor
function. I had assumed that the increase in incontinence pad advertising
was aimed at an older or elderly age group but apparently she is seeing a
significant portion of her practice being young (seemingly) fit women
after their first babies who are suffering from incontinence. She feels
that this is a problem that has been hidden or taken as normal by women
and perhaps as a "normal" consequence of childbirth. I bought a booklet
called Women's Waterworks by Dr Pauline Chiarelli which quotes that36% of
women over 45 suffer incontinence and apparently 60%of all nursing home
admissions are due to incontinence. This little booklet is aimed at
teaching women how to regain bladder control and goes into detail about
the role of hormones and various muscle groups in the contraction of the
bladder and pelvic floor. I found it well written and informative.
Anyway my take on the whole issue is that the majority of people are now
very sedentary compared to our previous history and also use furniture and
sitting toilets. I don't think these things can be good for your pelvic
floor. I don't believe forceps or epidurals or instructed pushing can be
good either. I think it probably takes much more effort to keep this part
of our body healthy in this age of TV and couches than most of us realise
and so the consequence is that it becomes weak following the physical,
hormonal and neurological changes following childbirth. I am thinking now
that perhaps "are you doing your pelvic floor exercises?" needs to be an
issue that I spend a lot more time on in education and follow-up.
Maxine
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