Pelvic floor exercises, what they actually are

What the pelvic floor actually does

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, bowel and, for women, the uterus. They help control leaking and support the core during everyday movement.

Pregnancy, birth, ageing and surgery can all weaken these muscles. So can simply never having learned to use them correctly.

Why so many people do this incorrectly

A common mistake is squeezing the wrong muscles, such as the buttocks or thighs, instead of the pelvic floor itself. Another is holding the breath instead of breathing normally.

Doing the wrong version repeatedly does not build the right strength, and can sometimes make symptoms worse rather than better.

How a physiotherapist checks and guides this

An assessment starts with a conversation about your symptoms and history. Some assessment may involve a gentle physical check, always explained first and only with your consent.

From there, you are shown the correct technique and given a realistic plan to build on, adjusted to how your body responds.

What good progress looks like

Progress is usually gradual: better control day to day, fewer symptoms during coughing, exercise or lifting, and more confidence in daily activity.

We review this at each stage, and adjust the plan if something is not working rather than continuing unchanged.

Why privacy and consent matter throughout

This is a sensitive area, and we treat it that way. Every part of an assessment is explained before it happens, and nothing goes ahead without your clear consent.

You are always in control of the pace, and can ask questions or pause at any point.