H E A LT H
Pelvic health: when to get help Do you leak when you cough, sneeze, laugh or run? Do you always make it to the toilet in time, or is there an urgency when emptying your bladder or bowel? Do you wake up at night to empty your bladder? Do you have persistent constipation or struggle to empty your bowel? Do you have persistent pain around your pelvis (abdomen, groin, buttocks or genitals?) Do you have pain with sex or erectile issues?
TOP TIPS Don’t include star jumps, high knees or tuck jumps in the warm-up
Find a pelvic floor physiotherapist to refer to, or direct clients to the POGP register
Use the inclusive language of yoga, for example “If star jumps are not available to you today…”
Physios want to work with the fitness industry, so invite them in to run a workshop. Both The Well HQ and Sarah Thorne run courses and workshops on pelvic health
When giving modifications still make your clients work, for example side lunges with weights
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK / JACOB LUND
It’s important not to hold the breath when lifting because that puts more pressure on the pelvic floor, so educate your clients to exhale during the effort, as though they’re deflating a balloon Go gently with conversations: if they feel comfortable they will share and if they don’t, back off
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Issue 5 2024 ©Cybertrek 2024
Everyone should be doing at least one set of pelvic floor exercises a day. If they don’t work they need to see a specialist. Apps are available to support, including PelviFit and the NHS Squeezy app Being constipated puts additional strain on the pelvic floor, so educate your clients to look after their nutrition to make sure this isn’t an issue