What are Pelvic Floor Excercises?

What are Pelvic Floor Excercises? What do they have you do?

Here is a link to an article explaining what pelvic floor PT is What is pelvic floor PT?

From the Hysterectomy Checkpoints on this site Hysterectomy Checkpoints weeks 5/6

Post-Op Exercises
After getting approval from your surgeon gradually, ease back into or start an exercise program.

The following exercises will help strengthen your stomach muscles. Always listen to your body and take it slowly and gently. Only do these if you are comfortable. Stop if you feel any pain or discomfort.

1. Pelvic Tilting

Lie on your back with one pillow under your head, with your knees together and bent. Take a breath in and as you breathe out, pull in your tummy muscles, tilt your bottom upwards slightly and try to press the middle of your back against the mattress or floor. Hold for a few seconds and then let go. This exercise helps backache and reduces abdominal wind.

2. Pelvic Floor Exercises

These can be started after a urethral catheter has been removed, or from the second day after your operation. Lie comfortably with both legs bent and slightly apart. Do not tighten your tummy or hold your breath. Pull up and close the back passage, hold, then pull up and close the front passages (as if you were preventing a bowel and bladder action). Hold this and count for 5 seconds, feeling a definite lift in the pelvic floor. Let go slowly, but never push down.

Start your exercises gradually and increase the number or repetitions each day. Aim for 5 - 10 times at regular intervals throughout the day. This exercise can be done in lying, sitting or standing positions. It is important to ensure that you will regain full control of urine flow, especially important after a hysterectomy, either abdominal or vaginal. You should continue doing it for the rest of your life.

Thanks that helps. Are they done in a PT facility or strictly at home?

Pelvic Floor PT is done out of the home. Your doctor will order it if needed.

As far as the exercises go, you can do them at home, but only AFTER getting your doctor's approval.

If they are done at home are they done with a Physical Therapist? Do you do them alone?

The exercises you can do on your own and are done at home. They are just exercises. Your doctor will let you know if you need a therapist.

Thank you so much for this thread ladies. I was recently diagnosed with PFD and was ordered 12 weeks of PT at the hospital. Im guessing since the Dr rx'd me lidocane cream...this is gonna hurt. ;( The above info was very helpful since this is a new diag for me.
Blessings,
Purpy

We also have several videos related ro pelvic floor exercises. You can go to the video menu (upper right under the tabs).

Go to the select channel drop down (on the left) and loo, for pelvic floor. You should also be able to search for exercises and find them as well.