I have been pretty open (and even endorsing) about my experience with pelvic floor therapyafter having kids. After two natural childbirths, I could not run or jump without peeing a little. Instead of accepting that’s just what happens after kids, I went to see if there was something I could do about it. Turns out there was, it was life-changing, and insurance covered it. Score. After completing therapy, I was able to run without issues.
Fast-forward growing older and going through perimenopause, I noticed I was having some urgency issues again. Penn and I were getting ready to compete in The Amazing Race, so I went back to pelvic floor therapy. I had to make sure I could compete in the race without having to go to the bathroom every 5 seconds. Again, pelvic floor therapy saved the day. But what if I told you that pelvic floor therapy wasn’t just for women who have had babies?
What if I told you pelvic floor therapy could be for men too?
Why The Pelvic Floor Matters
This week on the podcast, we talked to Dr. Danielle Owens, a physical therapist and CAPP-Pelvic certified specialist. While pelvic health is typically associated with women, Dr. Owens stresses that men also face pelvic floor dysfunctions and can benefit greatly from therapy. Some of those issues could be erectile dysfunction, incontinence, pelvic pain, and constipation. (Apparently, they can also do their own version of kegels!)
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis that supports organs and contributes to bodily functions and core stability. Most people think pelvic floor therapy is to strengthen these muscles, however, you can also have issues if the muscles are too tight. “A lot of people especially these days are very tense and hold a lot of stress or anxiety,” explains Dr. Owens. “If you’re stressed out all the time your pelvic floor is almost certainly tight which can lead to constipation and stress incontinence.”
Never Look At A Blueberry The Same
With our new found information, Dr. Owens led us in some exercises to work our pelvic floor muscles live on-air. This does include Penn doing clamshells on the floor (please enjoy the YouTube broadcastfor that.) She also gives us a little extra cue about how us ladies can deepen our pelvic floor exercises. It involves a straw and a blueberry. (Report back if you could feel the intensity rise after trying that one.)
Along with the interview, we discuss if we are too old for day trips, what a ‘darty’ is, and we take more of your calls on the laugh line. (Please vote if you think we should take a day trip to Paris – Penn thinks my need for sleep would make it impossible for me to enjoy.) What do you want to hear us talk about? Let us know – happy listening!
