By Lorene Nardell, MS, OTR, BCB-PMD
This free 2 part course is designed to help participants develop a personal plan and practice techniques for pelvic health in pregnancy and beyond. Over the years as a pelvic floor therapist I have been able to share some simple and effective techniques which are easy to learn and practice in order to improve the overall health of the pelvic floor. This class is a first step in addressing personal pelvic floor problems through education and development of a self-help program, however, follow up with a skilled pelvic floor therapist may very well be indicated in certain cases. A group setting of this nature will not offer time for individual analysis of problems with the therapist, but will be a useful tool in understanding the issues you may be facing and beginning to address them with easy to learn and safe techniques.
The class will first focus on education provided during therapy sessions regarding common pelvic floor disorders, anatomy and functioning of the pelvic floor, and treatments for dysfunction of pelvic floor muscles. Participants will be able to create an outline for a personalized program and be given a list of resources, including books, handouts, websites, and local community providers. Some of the common problems women may experience, often beginning with child birth, include bladder and bowel incontinence, prolapse of internal pelvic organs, untreated scar tissue including c-section scars, pelvic pain and painful intercourse, abdominal separation, and lack of education regarding exercise before and after birth. Prevention and management of these issues is crucial in order to avoid disruption to meaningful daily activities now and further problems as we age.
In the second class you will learn and practice techniques based on the needs you identify in the level 1 class. This class will be tailored to the participants as much as possible. Unfortunately, many of the clients I have worked with have never been accurately taught and/or accurately learned how to perform kegel exercises by health care providers and other community resources. There is plenty of evidence that pelvic floor exercises, when done correctly, are very effective in strengthening the pelvic floor and alleviating incontinence issues. Why then do so many people say that they tried those exercises and never had success? Poor education is typically the culprit in my experience. Correct performance of kegels will be taught in each level 2 class, as well as other stretches and exercises for pregnancy and beyond, use of vaginal weights, dilators, and supportive garments, self-myofascial stretching techniques, pain management, and much more.
Expect to leave this class feeling more confident, educated and ready to pursue better pelvic health. Women of all ages can benefit from a class of this nature, so bring fellow moms, moms-to-be, your mother, and grandmother! Every woman needs to know more about this often neglected area in our health and well-being. Don’t wait until problems keep you from living life to the fullest! You don’t have to be one of the many, many women I see who are wearing pads every day or avoiding activities, even avoiding leaving the house.
If any of the following statements pertain to you, definitely don’t pass up this free class!
- I experience urinary and/or bowel leakage.
- I feel intense pressure in the pelvic region.
- I have scarring from surgeries in the pelvic and abdominal region.
- I have pelvic pain.
- My partner and I can’t have sex or don’t enjoy it due to pain with intercourse.
- I was told I have prolapsed pelvic organs.
- I don’t know enough about safe exercise and abdominal separation.
- I was told I need surgery, but they never mentioned therapy. What are all my options?
- I urinate frequently (every hour or two).
- I have accidents when I get the urge to go to the bathroom.
- I feel like my daily activities are restricted because of leakage and/or pain.
- I’m not sure I am doing the kegel correctly.
- I wear a pad, just in case.
About the Class Instructor: Lorene Nardell, MS, OTR, BCB-PMD has been treating pelvic floor disorders at Summit Rehab since 2007. She has specialized certification from the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance for treatment of pelvic muscle dysfunction. Lorene has further specialization in manual therapy for the pelvic floor, mentoring new therapists and educating the public. She also teaches the “Be Fit for Baby” prenatal and postnatal movement class, and weekly Tai Chi classes in Longmont. Lorene is the mother of a 2 year old, a mom-to-be, and a fitness and outdoors enthusiast.
Please RSVP: Lindy, Outpatient Assistant, at Summit Rehab, 303-513-7013 OR Lorene at lorenenardell@gmail.com
Location & Time: Weekly on Fridays, 11:30am – 12:30pm, starting in December at the Boulder Birth Community Classroom, 4800 Riverbend Rd, Suite 100 in Boulder.