Thanks to recent scientific studies, we know that Kegel exercises are now considered outdated. However, some professionals, including doctors, still recommend them extensively. Why is that, and what negative impacts can they have on our health?
The pelvic floor is an important structure in our body. It affects our quality of life like few other things—ranging from good posture to our sexuality, painful menstruation and ovulation issues, to overall mental state, energy, and vitality.
The aim of the exercises introduced by gynecologist Arnold Kegel in 1948 is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. The main problem with this method lies in its one-sidedness—excessive strengthening of only one of the pelvic floor muscles leads to increased tension in the pelvic area and loss of elasticity. This can result in issues such as:
- Back, head, and musculoskeletal pain
- Painful menstruation
- Infertility, complicated childbirth with injury
- Chronic constipation and varicose veins
- Psychological problems
Additionally, Kegel exercises encourage us to hold urine and practice interrupted urination. This increases the risk of urinary tract infections and disrupts the elimination reflex, which contributes to urgency incontinence—a very common, unpleasant, and sometimes painful urge to urinate that limits our daily life and often presents symptoms similar to a bladder infection. You can learn about other health issues that can arise from "over-strengthened" pelvic floor muscles and how to prevent them here.
Sitting all day at work and then heading to the gym? You're setting yourself up for problems.
Overloaded pelvic floor muscles are not only a result of Kegel exercises. They also pose a risk for athletes focused primarily on performance, women who compensate for eight hours of sitting in an office by hitting the gym, as well as those whose long-term stress causes them to subconsciously tighten their pelvic floor muscles—essentially, anyone who places constant strain on their core.
Balance is key.
For the pelvic floor to function correctly, it must be FLEXIBLE. Therefore, it is important to not only be able to activate the pelvic floor muscles—strengthen them—but also to relax them.
Reliable guides on the path to conscious activation and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles are Aniball and Aniball INCO.
Aniball helps discover the pelvic floor during pre-birth preparation. It teaches us to work effectively with it using breath, so that we are prepared to consciously relax the birth canal for a smoother passage for the baby into the world. Not only after the postpartum period, but also in later life stages, it is important to focus on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles with Aniball INCO to prevent stress urinary incontinence.
The use of Aniball and Aniball INCO is limited by the woman’s health condition. It is essential to consult with a doctor, physiotherapist, or midwife to assess the appropriateness of the exercises and consider any potential contraindications.
Carefully read the instructions for use and the information relating to the safe use of the medical device.
Aniball is a medical device intended for pre-birth preparation, prevention of perineal injuries, and stress urinary incontinence.
Aniball INCO is intended for the prevention and treatment of stress urinary incontinence.
