All About Pelvic Floor Therapy - Kegel Exercises

Pelvic floor muscle therapy is one of the most common and effective therapies to strengthen the pelvic muscles. Pelvic muscles are a set of muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and in men, the prostate, and in women, the uterus. The contraction and relaxation of these muscles help the excretory and the reproductive system function with ease and efficiency. In women, the pelvic floor muscles are more important than men as they support the child during pregnancy and the sexual process.

What are the Side Effects of Weakened Pelvic Floor Muscles?

Many reasons can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, such as injuries, neuromuscular conditions, childbirth, pregnancy, etc. Other common factors that might weaken the pelvic floor muscles are:

  • Age 
  • Obesity 
  • Heavy lifting
  • Chronic coughing

Weakened pelvic floor muscles give rise to several conditions since they affect the functioning of the urinary system and the reproductive system. Some of the most common side effects are:

  • Incontinence 
  • Uncontrollable passing of gas 
  • Painful sexual intercourse 
  • Constipation 
  • Vaginismus 
  • Rectal Pain 
  • Fecal Incontinence 
  • Endometriosis 
  • Testicular Pain 
  • Interstitial Cystitis

Five Best Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy Exercises for 2022

1. Kegel Exercises

Also known as pelvic muscle training, Kegels include contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. Kegel exercises are often done by stopping the urine midstream and contracting the pelvic muscles. Hold this position for nearly five seconds before releasing them and hold them again after five seconds. Repeating this three times a day for a total of nine times completes one set of Kegels.

2. Squats

Squats are one of the most common exercises in a lower body training schedule. They would be prescribed to you for strengthening your pelvic muscles by almost all physiotherapists and medical professionals around the country. They are easy to execute and can be done on any day. All you need to do is stand upright by spreading your legs to shoulder width. Bend your knees and push your hips and butt back as if sitting on a chair. Dropdown into the sitting position and hold it for a couple of seconds. Repeat this 12-15 times in one squatting set.

3. Bird Dog

The name bird dog comes from the two poses one makes while doing this exercise. You start on all fours keeping your hands under your shoulder and knees under your hips. Start by raising your left leg and right arm and keeping the rest of the body stable and straight. Hold this position for a couple of seconds. Come back to the original place and raise your right leg and left arm. This completes one rep. Make a total of 10 reps for one set and three sets a day.

4. Bridge

This exercise does great for your glutes and your pelvic floor muscles. Start by lying down on the floor, and the knees bent to a 90 degrees angle. Inhale deeply and raise your hips using the support of the heels and the palms. Hold this position for 1-2 seconds and then release. Continue this for 10-15 reps for one set and 2-3 packs a day. Ensure that you rest between every set.

5. Split Tabletop

One of the most common exercises included in a Pilates schedule they help by activating your hip and pelvic muscles. Begin by lying down on the floor where your knees are perpendicular to the floor, and the calves are parallel to the floor. Then slowly split your knees in opposite directions to a comfortable place. Raise them back to the original work. Complete this for 10-15 reps to make one set and three sets a day.

Managing Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness

The only pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is by strengthening the muscles and retraining them to ensure that the muscles function efficiently and comfortably. Managing the side-effects of the pelvic floor muscle dysfunction includes using aids such as:

Incontinence Aids – Incontinence aids such as adult diapers, briefs, adult underwear, underpads, incontinence clamps, etc., can help manage all forms of incontinence caused by pelvic floor weakness, including urinary and fecal incontinence.

Urological Supplies – Urological supplies such as catheters, drainage bags, irrigation trays, urinals, bedpans, etc., can be great medical aids while managing the incontinence developed by weak pelvic floor muscles.

Kegel Exercises – Kegel exercising aids are specially designed medical aids to help a person strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. They are enhanced with a wide range of features that help retrain the pelvic floor muscles for easy and efficient functioning.

Five Best Kegel Exercisers for 2022

1. Pain Management Medical Softcycle Pelvic Floor Stimulator With Anal Probe

Pain Management Medical Softcycle Pelvic Floor Stimulator With Anal Probe is used to train the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor muscles training can help strengthen the muscles under the uterus, bladder, and bowels. It can help women who have problems with urine leakage or bowel control.

What does Softcycle Pelvic Floor Stimulator Include?

  • Device 
  • Batteries 
  • Lead wires 
  • Carry case 
  • Anal probe

Features of PMT Medical Softcycle Stimulator

  • Low Battery: Display required by 60601-2-11 
  • Auto shut off: If the unit is turned on and the intensity level is not increased over 0 for more than 5 min then the unit is shut off automatically 
  • Open circuit cut-out: If the output is not connected to any load, the output intensity control (and display) re-sets to zero, and two beep sound is emitted from the unit 
  • LED: When the output is over 0, the LED is lighted 
  • LCD backlight: Blue backlight, it is burned right after any button is pressed and last 5 seconds 
  • Battery life: At least 30 hours at 40mA when running prog URGE 
  • Shelf life: Battery will last at least eight weeks with the unit switched off 
  • Storage conditions: By 60601-2-11 if possible

To switch the unit ON:

  • Slid the button to the "ON" position in the center 
  • When the unit is switched to ON, an audible "beep" sound will be heard 
  • When the unit is on, the last used program will be automatically started. This simplifies start-up dramatically. The strength returns to about 50% of the unit's level when switched off.

To switch unit OFF:

Slid the button to the "OFF" position at the left

To switch unit LOCK:

  • Slid the button to the "LOCK" position at the right 
  • When the unit is locked, the PROG and TIMER buttons are disabled, and the user can not change the program and adjust the timer. Only intensity can be adjustable.

Strength UP Button (up arrow button):

  • Press and hold down this button until the required strength is achieved. Or, press and release to increase in soft and gentle steps. 
  • The unit will remain in the "Work" part of the cycle for 5 seconds while the strength is being adjusted

Strength DOWN Button (down arrow button):

To decrease power: Hold down the button, and strength will decrease steadily in 0.5 steps

Program Button:

  • The Soft cycle has specifically selected programs. When you switch on the unit, the program URGE is initiated automatically. 
  • Next time it is switched on, the program will default to the one last used. 
  • Each time the "PROG" button is pressed, the program changes. The screen displays the program selected.

Timer button:

  • The timer only works in MIXED and TONE programs 
  • The timer can be set to “C” (continuous) -10min-30min-45min-60min-90min in sequence
 

2. OPTP PFProp Pelvic Floor Muscle Exerciser

OPTP PFProp Pelvic Floor Muscle Exerciser designed to awaken and activate pelvic floor muscles. Its use promotes body awareness and balances while improving core strength and flexibility. Both men and women can use the exerciser to restore healthy posture and counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting. It is designed in a durable foam cylinder shape and features a rounded side and a flatter side for increased comfort.

PFProp is designed for:

  • Those who sit for long periods: Counteracts the negative effects that sitting has on the pelvis and spine, helping alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain 
  • Women with urinary incontinence: Helps women regain strength and control of bladder functions, especially after birth 
  • The elderly: Helps the aging population maintain core strength, flexibility, and balance to reduce the risk of falls
 

3. TheraWand Pelvic Therapy Device

TheraWand Pelvic Therapy Device is best for use in pelvic floor treatments, including but not limited to trigger point, myofascial release, painful intercourse, scar tissue, sensitivity, vaginismus, anorgasmia, and more. The curved design allows for ease of use intravaginally to treat pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.

Benefits of TheraWand Pelvic Therapy Device

  • Reduce pelvic pain 
  • Reduce core stress 
  • Increase sexual health 
  • Improves the quality of life 
  • BPA-Free - Clean, Safe & Hygienic

Pelvic Therapy Device - TheraWand Designs

Essential Therawand Design

  • Allows for multiple uses 
  • An elongated rounded end offers easier handling for the physical therapist and patient.
  • The tapered end allows for easier insertion and is an excellent tool for pelvic therapy. 
  • The rounded end has also been indicated for use in pelvic therapy.

Premium Therawand Design

  • Allows for a wide variety of uses, both vaginally or rectally, for pelvic therapy and prostate massage
  • Features slightly thinner shaft making insertion more comfortable in some cases 
  • End with the three balls, more commonly used as a handle, has also been indicated in pelvic therapy.

How to use TheraWand Pelvic Therapy Device?

It is important to be as relaxed and comfortable as can be. For vaginal or anal release:

  • Lie comfortably on your back in a semi-reclined position with a fully supported upper body. Use pillows under your head and knees if possible. Or lie on one side or the other for comfort and the best angle for release.
  • Generously lubricate the ReleaseEnd of the PelviWand 
  • Gently insert the Release-End of the wand into your vagina or anus. 
  • Orient your vaginal or anal opening as a clock to identify painful, tight "hot spots" or trigger points. Focus your pressure on the regions one to five o'clock and seven to eleven o'clock as this is where most soft tissue lies. Be sure to be gentle and follow the guidelines of your therapist or Healthcare Practitioner. 
  • Use light pressure to move through each spot. This allows the muscles to soften and completely release. While massage strokes may ease tightness temporarily, complete release only occurs with gentle pressure sustained for five minutes or longer.
 

4. Yarlap Pelvic Floor Stim System

Yarlap Pelvic Floor Stim System features AutoKegel Technology that is made to provide women of all ages and sizes a reliable and effective floor pelvic floor workout. Yarlap is a safe and comfortable form of control that can be used at home in as little as 20 minutes a day. Yarlap sends mild electrical signals to the muscles. Allow the Yarlap to re-educate the pelvic floor muscles for use through one of the six programs.

Benefits of Yarlap Kegel Exercise Kit

  • Easy 20 minute workouts done for you 
  • FDA Cleared & Clinically Proven 
  • Small and Comfortable 
  • 100% Medical Grade Components 
  • Results Within 2-12 Weeks

Features of the Yarlap Pelvic Floor Stim System

  • Improves sexual performance through muscle control 
  • Improves sexual expression/ experience through muscle control 
  • Clinically proven With six programs (3 relax, three tones, or workout), Yarlar is simple and effective. 
  • TOP QUALITY- All Yarlap devices are made in the United Kingdom following FDA and EU rules. 
  • RESULTS- Virtually everyone can use the Yarlap safely and correctly to achieve dramatic pelvic floor muscle tone 
  • Used to provide electrical stimulation and neuromuscular re-education to rehabilitate and strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles 
  • Excellent for the treatment of stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence in women and to maintain urinary continence 
  • The vaginal electrode is reusable for single patient use

How to use Yarlap Pelvic Floor Kegel Exercise Device?

  • A complete pelvic floor workout using the Yarlap is achieved in as little as 20 minutes a day. 
  • Yarlap sends a mild electrical signal to the muscles, just like in nature, but the instructions are directly communicated to your muscles through the user's skin.
  • Re-educate user pelvic floor muscles. Most women do know how to perform the Kegel exercises properly. Yarlap performs them for use. 
  • The muscles that spasmodically contract in orgasm are those same pelvic floor muscles. 
  • It is popular and accurate to associate pelvic floor muscle tone with sexual performance, particularly women.
 

5. Pathway Vaginal Rectal Sensors and Stimulators

Pathway Vaginal Rectal Sensors and Stimulators are used to detect the electromyographic activity of the pelvic musculature. These rehabilitate weak pelvic muscles and restore neuromuscular control. A tab at the base of each sensor guides insertion and removal. Vaginal and Rectal EMG Stimulation sensors are compatible with and legally marketed for all high impedance EMGs and most intracavity stimulators. The sensors can be used with any Pathway EMG unit by connecting the plug to a Universal Adapter, allowing connection to the Pathway Preamplifier.

Highlights of Pathway Vaginal Rectal Sensors and Stimulators

  • Intracavity Vaginal and Rectal Sensors
  • Connect to a Universal Adapter
  • Ideal for Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
  • One channel vaginal or rectal intracavity stimulation featuring 12.5, 50, 100, 200 Hz frequencies

Features of Pathway Vaginal/Rectal Sensors 

  • The device measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle.
  • Sensors and stimulators help clinicians or patients for safe and easy insertion and removal.
  • Vaginal and Rectal EMG/Stimulation sensors are compatible with all high impedance EMGs and most intracavity stimulators.
  • They are used in treating pelvic floor dysfunction, urine incontinence, and strengthening musculature to restore bladder control.
 

Where to Buy Kegel Exercisers Online?

At Shop Catheter, we have a wide range of premium kegel exercisers designed to help stimulate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles for better hip and bladder efficiency. Choose from the best kegel exercisers online at amazing prices and discounts from top manufacturers and brands.

 

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