II. Indications
- Stress Incontinence (includes Postpartum Incontinence)
III. Efficacy
- Effective at restoring postpartum continence
- Effective in Urinary Incontinence in women
- Most effective when it is performed more intensely, more frequently and with individual supervision
- Todhunter-Brown (2022) Cochrane Database Syst Rev +PMID: 36053030 [PubMed]
IV. Mechanism
- Strengthens pubococcygeus Muscle
- Strengthens smaller pelvic floor musculature
V. Technique: Specific Kegal Exercises
- While urinating try to stop the flow of urine
- Start and stop it as often as possible
- Repeatedly contract as if you were stopping your urine
- Perform while not urinating
- Tighten Rectum as if avoiding to pass gas
- Contract the anus, but do not move buttocks
VI. Management: General Suggestions
- Hold Kegal Exercise for count of 5
- Advance to using weights within the vagina
- Perform Kegal Exercises as often as possible
- Study of Postpartum Incontinence recommended 100/day
- Glazener (2001) BMJ 323:593-6 [PubMed]
- Pick an activity you do often as a reminder
- Phone rings
- TV commercial
- Tighten your pelvic floor at stress times
- Before sneezing
- Rising from a chair
- Laughing
- Lifting an object