Kegel's Exercise : Females
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Kegel's exercises are pelvic floor exercises, called after Dr. Arnold Kegel Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title who developed them to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Dr. Kegel originally proposed his exercises as an alternative to needless and ineffective surgery, which he perceived in his own practice and those of his colleagues. He correctly anticipated several contemporary medical trends, including (l) cost containment, (2) the self-help movement, (3) women's rights, (4) the value of isometric exercise and (5) biofeedback technology.
Kegel's Three Steps
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Kegel clearly stated that there were three steps to his method.
- "The first step is external observation, with the patient in the lithotomy position. Kegel first observed the patient's ability to visibly draw up the perineal structures.
- "The second step is vaginal examination, performed gently with one finger." The digital exam served a double purpose: first, it enabled the physician to assess the development of the puboccocygeus muscle at various depths, and second, it enabled the physician to verify that the patient was able to identify the correct muscle and contract it. Thus identification of the muscle, and not its exercise, was the purpose of Kegel's digital exam.
- The third stage follows quickly: "after [only] 5 to 10 correct contractions the Perineometer is inserted, and both physician and patient watch the manometer to note the results of her efforts" (emphasis added). In several articles, the insertion of the Perineometer biofeedback device marks the beginning of the third and primary step in Dr. Kegel's exercise program.
- It is important to observe that Kegel defined his exercises "operationally", rather than "formally". That is, rather than specify "how to do the exercises", he specified what would be measured if they were done correctly with his device in place. He invented and used the world's first biofeedback instrument, the perineometer, to objectively assess pelvic muscle strength, both in the office, and in daily at-home use by the patient
Benefits[edit | edit source]
- Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles which support the bladder and bowel openings.
- Strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor can aid in preventing urinary and faecel incontinence.
- Enhanced sexual function
- conditioned muscles to make childbirth easier
- decrease and/or prevent prolapse of pelvic organs and
- improve the ability of daefecation.
