Incontinence ... don't forget the Pelvic Floor

Incontinence affects over 1 million Australians. Up to 1 in 3 women experience incontinence including urinary leakage when sneezing ,coughing, laughing, playing sport or lifting. Over fifty per cent of these women keep it a secret, probably due to embarrassment or mistakenly believing that there is nothing that they can do about it.

The truth is that between 60 and 70 per cent of women who suffer incontinence could be assisted by such simple things as education, information, diet and specific exercises. A strong and healthy functioning pelvic floor is necessary for bladder and bowel control. These muscles also contribute significantly to a strong & resilient back.

It’s not only young mothers and mature women that need a strong pelvic floor. Young girls can also suffer loss of control, particularly those who participate in high levels of activities such as trampolining, gymnastics and other high impact sports. Men can also benefit from pelvic floor exercises, especially those who undertake heavy weight training.

Neglect!
Pelvic floor exercises can make a massive difference to people who experience this loss of control, yet it is probably the most neglected muscle group in the majority of fitness classes.
If the pelvic floor is such an important muscle group then why is it so neglected in regular fitness programs?
This may be because it is ‘out of sight, out of mind ‘ People tend not to think of it until there is a problem. Also many instructors feel uncomfortable discussing such things as urine, vaginas and rectums in fitness classes. Not only that, many people who do pelvic floor exercises in classes are performing them incorrectly, possibly doing more harm than good.

Pilates Matwork can make a real difference to the alarming number of Australians who suffer in silence, by giving the pelvic floor the training and attention it deserves.