WHO KNEW...CERTAINLY NOT MOI

         

         As we age, we, or at least I, find some portions of my anatomy do not work as well as previously. When my MD put me on the low-dose anti-depressant at bedtime to help me go to sleep, I found the sphincter controlling my bladder’s exit ceased to work quite as well as it had prior to the medication.

          I emailed with my MD and she suggested I see a physical therapist to learn about pelvic floor exercises. I agreed although I actually didn’t see how that would be of any assistance since I do exercises almost every single day of the week, including kegel exercises. Well, let me tell you I was seriously mistaken.

          This afternoon I met with the physical therapist and after answering a multitude of questions was informed that my problem was most likely due not to my pelvic muscles being relaxed but to their being too tight. Boy, did this woman give me an education about my pelvic floor and abdominals. I learned so many things I didn’t know as well as the fact that some things I knew were wrong. She gave me five exercises to do every day with the goal being the relaxation of my pelvic floor muscles and the strengthening of my abdominals.

          Prior to this I had been doing kegal exercises religiously thinking they would remedy my leaky bladder problem. Turns out I need to do reverse kegel exercises to relax, strengthen and elongate the muscles in the pelvic floor. Who knew, right? I certainly didn’t.

          The exercises don’t stop there, however, but include an additional four exercises that are aimed at lengthening and strengthening my abdominal muscles. It looks as though I’ll be able to eliminate two exercises I already do in lieu of the five new ones.

          Sheesh, it’s not as though I’ve been sitting on my butt and doing absolutely nothing about my physical abilities. I mean, really, Enhanced Fitness three times and week and I just added River Walk exercise twice a week. Those are in addition to the daily home exercises I’ve been doing since I had hip and shoulder surgery years ago. I actually thought I was in pretty good shape, and maybe I am for the most part, but my pelvic floor apparently is in need of a daily workout that wasn't provided by my other exercise programs.

          Ah well, if I work hard, who knows, maybe not only will my leaky bladder stop being leaky, but I’ll develop six-pack abdominals…hey, a girl can dream, especially when she’s putting in all this effort.