Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, strengthen the pubococcygeus muscles and were originally designed in 1948 by California gynecologist Dr. Arnold Kegel for women experiencing urinary incontinence. Research published in the Journal of Urology has shown that men also get benefits from pelvic floor exercises after a prostate cancer surgery or radiation. Grace Dorey recommends Kegel exercises to treat erectile dysfunction and to increase men’s sexual performance.
Locating the Muscles
The easiest way to locate your pelvic floor muscles is to stop the urine flow next time you go to the bathroom. Once you find them, feel accurately where they are located, because it is easy to compensate for the weak pelvic floor muscles using the thighs, glutes and abdominals. These must stay relaxed during the exercises. For best results, perform the Kegel exercises daily in different positions, such as lying, seated or standing.
(Suzanna McGee @ www.livestrong.com)
