The principle of the Kegel technique
The substrate for the development of hemorrhoids is stagnation of blood in the pelvis. This is caused by many factors: structural features of the vascular system, congenital anomalies of the pelvic organs, the presence of neoplasms, a sedentary lifestyle, regular overstrain of the pelvic floor muscles (weight lifting). A remedy aimed at combating directly the cause of the pathology is physical exercise.
Gynecologist Arnold Kegel in the 20th century invented special gymnastics that allows you to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, as well as optimize blood flow in the organs of this anatomical area. The principle of the technique is based on tension and relaxation of the pelvic muscles, varying in speed and intensity. Initially, this gymnastics was used by women before and after childbirth. But in our time, it has found its place in the treatment of patients with various problems:
- haemorrhoids;
- pelvic organ prolapse;
- urinary and fecal incontinence;
- erectile disfunction;
- prostatitis.
How often should you do Kegel exercises?
Start with 5 exercises in the morning, 5 in the afternoon, and 5 in the evening.
The main thing is to perform the exercises correctly and squeeze/unclench only those muscles that are needed. Before exercise, identify the location of the perineal muscles.
To do this, try to stop the stream while urinating. Those muscles that are tense and need to be trained.
The effects of exercise will be visible after a few weeks.
We prescribe each patient at polyclinic No. 3 “Santal Gelendzhik” an individual set of Kegel exercises, which can be performed independently at home.
Arnold Kegel's unique healing method does not require material costs.
Find free time for yourself and be healthy!
Basics of Kegel exercises
Before starting treatment, the strength of the pelvic floor muscles is measured. This allows you to track the dynamics and, accordingly, judge the outcome of the pathology and the duration of therapy. Kegel exercises for hemorrhoids are based on three main pillars:
- Slow contraction and relaxation of muscles. The first 3-4 seconds need to achieve maximum tension, and then slowly reach their complete relaxation.
- Increasing the speed of exercise. Rapid muscle contractions. Subsequent workouts should be made longer, at least 1 minute.
- Pushing out. The muscles of the perineum tense, simulating the act of defecation or expulsion of the fetus.
Possible mistakes during training
Before the pelvic floor muscles recover after childbirth, women may repeatedly experience ineffective exercise. The reason is the wrong technique. Common mistakes:
- The gluteal muscles and abs tense. The work should involve exclusively intimate muscles;
- abnormal breathing rhythm or delay due to tension;
- full bladder;
- failure in the training schedule, performing them from time to time, without a systematic approach.
Before you restore the vaginal muscles after childbirth, you have to work long and seriously. Training should be carried out daily, several times. Excessive zeal is not encouraged - you cannot do the whole complex at once or exercise at an too fast pace. First there are simple basic workouts, and then they are supplemented with new, more complicated ones.
Doing exercises
In the first stages, the 3 main exercises must be repeated alternately at least 5 times a day. Each stage consists of 10 exercises. Over time, they are increased to 30.
At first, the most effective workouts are obtained when performing exercises while lying on your back, since it is in this case that the required muscle group is guaranteed to contract. In the future, when performing gymnastics ceases to cause difficulties, you can conduct training while sitting and even standing.
It is necessary to learn how to accurately perform all the exercises. They actually resemble attempts to hold back urination, gas, or to interrupt the act of bowel movement.
First exercise
The starting position for this exercise is as follows: lying on your back, with your knees bent and placed on your feet. Thanks to this position, of course, you can immediately feel the muscles of the pelvic floor, so it is easier to perform gymnastics correctly, without involving the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and back in the process. Basic requirements for the exercise:
- the muscles must be contracted so that the anal sphincter is “retracted” into the rectum;
- the voltage duration is about 5 seconds;
- it is necessary to gradually increase the time of muscle contraction to 10 seconds;
- you need to repeat about 10-15 times.
Second exercise
Speed cuts. Rapid contractions of the pelvic floor muscles are carried out for 30 seconds. If possible, this time is adjusted to 1 minute.
Third exercise
The push-outs are repeated rhythmically 10-15 times. If the patient feels that he cannot cope with the load, then it is necessary to reduce the intensity of exercise, since the condition may worsen, and there is a risk of developing acute hemorrhoids.
Kegel exercises for hemorrhoids will give their positive therapeutic effect only if the training is systematically repeated .
Daily exercises of 4 approaches per day will allow you to quickly achieve results and feel a significant improvement in your condition.
How and when should women perform Kegel exercises after childbirth?
Your doctor will tell you when to perform a set of Kegel exercises after childbirth. If no contraindications are found, then the sooner the better. Training is not only allowed, but also necessary. In addition, when sitting at home for a long time, it is not difficult to allocate 10–15 minutes, especially since you can do this while washing dishes, rocking a baby, while walking with a stroller, etc. There is no need for special clothing, equipment or visiting the gym . Regarding nursing mothers, there is a recommendation - do not train on a full stomach and it is better after the breasts have been emptied (after feeding the baby).
What does gymnastics give?
Kegel exercises have a beneficial effect on the condition of the muscular system of the pelvic floor, and it allows you to achieve several positive effects:
- improvement of blood circulation in the pelvis;
- strengthening the muscles of the anus;
- allows you to maintain organs in the correct position (preventing uterine prolapse);
- optimizes venous blood flow, which avoids venous stagnation, and also prevents the emergence of new hemorrhoids;
- prevents the acute stage of hemorrhoids;
- prevents relapses of the disease;
- prevents hemorrhoidal cones from migrating outside the rectum;
- reduction in the size of hemorrhoids.
Efficiency
To get a positive result after performing the Kegel complex, you must first consult with your doctor. On the path to recovery, regularity and systematicity are important. If you devote 15 minutes a day, the condition of the pelvic muscles and blood supply to this area will noticeably improve. In the initial stages of hemorrhoids, such exercises and nutritional correction will be enough to cope with the problem. In case of exacerbations, additional drug treatment will be needed.
Who is it recommended for?
Proctologists confidently recommend these exercises to absolutely every patient with hemorrhoids (regardless of gender, age, level of physical fitness). Kegel exercises for men with hemorrhoids will be as effective as for women. High efficiency and absolute invisibility allow doctors to recommend such training to people of certain professions after sitting in one place for a long time. Such professions are the following: drivers, manicurists, office workers, salespeople, etc.
Despite the excellent therapeutic effect of Kegel exercises, treatment for hemorrhoids should be comprehensive, including dietary correction and optimization of physical activity. It is necessary to accompany therapy with adequate drug support aimed at relieving the inflammatory process, as well as combating the pathologically altered veins of the rectum themselves.
The treatment regimen should be drawn up by an experienced proctologist, based on the diagnosis, stage of the disease, features of the course of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases. In addition, without the patient’s responsible attitude towards his health and careful implementation of all recommendations, it will not be possible to overcome this problem.
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Orlov Sergey Petrovich
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Sergei Petrovich has loved reading since childhood. There are many books in his library, but among them there are two that changed his life: “The Cause You Serve” and the biography of Fyodor Uglov. It was they who determined the vector of development of the future doctor. In 1975 he graduated from the Irkutsk State Medical Institute, and a couple of years later completed a residency in urology. Then for a long time he worked as a surgeon and urologist in Angarsk, and then in Adygea. Afterwards he joined the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a thoracic surgeon. Participated in the first Chechen war as a surgeon. In Gelendzhik he worked in various fields of medicine, until 2021 when he came to Santal as a urologist. The Santhal Clinic is a place of primary medical care and initial diagnostics. Therefore, at his appointments, Sergei Petrovich tries to provide maximum support to his patients and, if necessary, refers them for additional examination to specialists, for example, an ultrasound specialist or a gynecologist. Cystitis, urethritis, epededimitis, varicose veins of the spermatic cord, inguinal hernias and other infectious and inflammatory diseases under the close supervision of a urologist are no longer scary for you. Sergey Petrovich creates a comfortable environment for each patient, starting with the way he conducts a conversation and ending with an accessible presentation of information about his health status. You can consult with such a doctor not only on classical therapy, but also on traditional medicine. Recommendations of a urologist:
Do not delay treatment of the disease. Every minute of your time can count. Do not read internet stories from Google and Yandex before your appointment. Not all articles from these sources contain real data. And a discrepancy in understanding the disease between the patient and his attending physician can cause significant difficulties in further treatment. Young people are recommended to undergo periodic medical examinations, but people over 40-45 years old need annual observation by a urologist.
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I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the medical staff of your clinic for their responsiveness, kindness and warmth towards me and my child. Special thanks to my attending physician, urologist Sergei Petrovich, and uzist Irina Borisovna for their professionalism. Thanks to your skill, my health has improved significantly. Thank you very much, good health and all the best to you. With best wishes, your already regular patient.
Grateful patient, 04/29/2019
Davidenko Olga Nikolaevna
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Obstetrician-gynecologist
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Gomel State Medical University. Medical and preventive care, 2005. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2006. Ultrasound diagnostics 2014.
What is uterine prolapse
This is a condition where the cervix and its fundus drop to a position below normal. The reasons for this are: a sedentary lifestyle, insufficient training, weakness of the pelvic floor and others. In addition, often ladies do not turn to specialists on time, but prefer to self-medicate or hide the diagnosis from everyone, simply out of embarrassment.
It also happens that gynecologists themselves from the CIS countries, due to poor-quality equipment and other factors, do not always pay attention to the slightly open entrance to the vagina and the seemingly slight sagging of the walls. As a result, uterine prolapse can develop into prolapse and disruption of the functions of neighboring organs.
What exercises should you not do if you have hemorrhoids?
Strong physical activity or improper exercise can cause enlargement of hemorrhoids in the rectum, increased pain, and an increased risk of complications. Therefore, when performing gymnastics for hemorrhoids, it is necessary to avoid exercises during which the pelvic area experiences strong tension. Prohibited:
- lift dumbbells;
- use weights on your legs and arms;
- do deep squats.
