I have done Kegels for years. How will physical therapy help me?
Kegels, or pelvic floor muscle contractions, are commonly recommended to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and decrease involuntary urine loss. Physical therapy is more than just Kegels. Your therapy will first include an exam to make sure you are doing your Kegels correctly. Next, a test will be done to assess the integrity of your abdominal wall (to rule out diastasis recti which is a separation of the abdominal muscles)) and to check the strength of your abdominal muscles which can be adversely affected by pregnancy. If after pregnancy you have diastasis recti, special exercises will be prescribed to address this problem. The next step is to ensure that you are progressing in your home strengthening program correctly utilizing the best position (lying down, sitting, standing or other position), optimal number of sets, repetitions, and sessions per day. Advanced pelvic floor strengthening exercises will be prescribed, including strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles in conjuncti
