Tai Chi for Incontinence
The pelvic floor muscles support vital body functions including continence, elimination, sex, digestion, and breathing. The activity of the pelvic floor is also important for the stability of the spine, posture, and movement throughout the body, yet many of us have a hard time “connecting” with this area. Often, Bill Gallagher will focus on guiding the client toward a clear understanding the pelvic floor and improved awareness of these muscles. Techniques from Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, and Feldenkrais that bring awareness, breath, and strength to this area can allow more efficient breathing, improve bladder control, and ease pain in the back, hip, and pelvis. The Chinese have long used pelvic floor awareness and exercise to improve health and vitality and Tai Chi practice can prevent and treat urinary incontinence. Ancient writings on Tai Chi instruct the practitioner to gently engage the pelvic floor during practice. The breathing pattern of Tai Chi encourages appropriate muscle tone. Furthermore, Tai Chi teaches clients to gently engage key hip muscles that help lift the bladder and prevent leakage. This facilitated pelvic floor contraction lifts the bladder and flexes the neck of the bladder addressing the most common cause of stress incontinence in women and relaxes the bladder muscle. The bladder muscle is further relaxed through the relaxation response. By relaxing the bladder, the pelvic floor will have an easier job of preventing self-soiling with urine. Finally, by increasing strength, balance, agility and motor control Tai Chi may improve one's ability to reach the toilet in time.
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Filed under: Tai Chi
Other Pages
Tai Chi for Fall Prevention
Tai Chi to Relax Stress and Axiety
Main Intervention (RX) Page
