The Kegel exercise is an important part of the the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor has an important role in working with the other intrinsic core muscles in creating intra-abdominal pressure.

What Is an Overactive/Underactive Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor can be either overactive or underactive. Weakness in the pelvic floor is associated with lower back pain, incontinence or constipation. Kegel exercises are often prescribed to patients with a weak pelvic floor, which can help with the above issues. An overactive pelvic floor can also cause problems such as down-regulating other core muscles or irritating the pudendal nerve. Kegel exercises won’t help in this case, and can actually make these problems worse by over-activating an already tight muscle.

Should You Be Doing Kegel Exercises?

Assessing whether the pelvic floor is over or underactive is extremely important. If the pelvic floor is underactive, Kegel exercises can lead to a vast improvement, if it is overactive the pelvic floor muscles will need to be released. Understanding what your body needs will help on the road to recovery.

If you would like a full assessment of your core function, feel free to contact my Chiropractic clinic in Brisbane.