[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.62″ src=”http:\/\/www.petersfield-physio-clinic.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Mens-Health-Awareness.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” always_center_on_mobile=”on” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”off” alt=”Movember Blue Ribbon Mustache Logo” title_text=”Men’s Health Awareness” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n
Happy Movember! This month has been declared Men\u2019s Health Awareness Month, but rather than sport a false moustache in support, I thought it would be more useful to look at one way that exercise can help tackle a number of men\u2019s health problems with some physio support. <\/span><\/p>\n Movember highlights many issues that don\u2019t receive the attention they deserve, partly because men don\u2019t like talking about them. One area is pelvic floor strength. <\/span><\/p>\n Pelvic floor weakness is seen as a predominantly female problem, particularly after pregnancy, but men also benefit from pelvic floor muscle training, particularly when recovering from prostate cancer surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Healthy Header” _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”50px|||”]<\/p>\n A healthy pelvic floor is good for men as well as women<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Your pelvic floor muscles are like a muscular sling supporting the bladder and bowel. They help control when you urinate or empty your bowels. Here are just some of the problems that can arise with a weak pelvic floor:<\/span><\/p>\n There are many other problems caused by a weak pelvic floor and the risk of getting complications increases with age, yet most men aren\u2019t even aware of their pelvic floor, let alone the exercises that strengthen it.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why Header” _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”50px|||”]<\/p>\n Why is my pelvic floor weak?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n There are many reasons the pelvic floor may become weaker, not least surgery for prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate gland. Other causes include:<\/span><\/p>\n If any of these problems relate to you, have you thought about starting to add some pelvic floor exercises into your daily routine before more serious problems develop? Pelvic floor exercises are quick and easy to do and any physio can show you how to do them.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Exercises Header” _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”50px|||”]<\/p>\n Exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Before you begin your exercises, you should know where your pelvic floor actually is, so you can tell if you\u2019re exercising it properly. Try stopping the flow of urine mid-stream to see how strong your muscles are. The pulling upwards feeling you get is your pelvic floor muscle lifting and tensing to stop the flow.<\/span><\/p>\n To do the exercises, sit down and make sure your feet are flat on the floor with your legs slightly apart. Then lean forward with your elbows on your knees. Then do the following exercises:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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