Prolapse (Part 2): Common Myths & Misconceptions
Dr. Jessica Chastka, PT, DPT recently recorded a 3 part Youtube series of pelvic organ prolapse. This video is part 2! Click to listen, or continue on for a summary of “Prolapse: Common Myths & Misconceptions”. If you missed part 1, we recommend you start there and then come back for part 2.
Today’s video is about myth busting and today we’ll be busting two big myths. These two myths are:
Certain exercises are safe or unsafe for prolapse.
Kegels are the solution for prolapse.
Let’s dive right in.
Myth #1: Certain exercises are safe or unsafe for prolapse.
While one exercise may feel great for one person with prolapse, that same thing may feel not so great for someone else with the same grade of prolapse. As far as exercise goes and which exercises are and aren’t appropriate for someone with prolapse, the frustrating truth is it depends. Whether or not an exercise is appropriate for you is largely dependent on whether that exercise or movement creates symptoms for you. Common exercises folks with prolapse tend to worry about include squats, weightlifting and running. While those are common triggers for people, it’s also common that these exercises don’t trigger symptoms, or only one of them does. When someone asks me “can I weight lift with prolapse” my response is to have them try it with me and see how it makes them feel. We start with a light weight (whatever is light for the individual) and do a few reps of whatever movement we’re considering. If symptoms are aggravated, we modify the movement. That may mean reducing weight, focusing on bodyweight, limiting range of motion. We start with the modified movement with the goal of building back up in weight, reps, range of motion, whatever the goal is. If you don’t have symptoms doing the movement, it’s likely that whatever you did is appropriate for your body.
If someone experiences heaviness in the pelvis, leakage or pelvic pain during or following an exercise, that’s a sign that we want to back off and modify for the time being.
Myth #2: Kegels are the solution for prolapse.
Pelvic floor strengthening is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to prolapse. While pelvic floor strength is important for folks with prolapse, limiting abdominal pressure and stress from above is just as important. Without learning how to reduce intra-abdominal pressure, we continue to stress the ligaments that we’re trying to support with pelvic floor strengthening. Additionally, support for your internal organs also comes from posture, glute and hip strength, abdominal strength. Kegels may be part of the picture, but they’re typically not enough.
The best way to manage prolapse is to have a personalized assessment with a pelvic floor physical therapist. Your pelvic floor PT can help you determine where you’re weak, what your limitations are, and how to reach your goals. While recovery with prolapse takes effort and consistency, it is absolutely possible to return to the activities you love.
To learn more about prolapse and working with a PT, call us at 512-766-2649 or contact us here. Follow @jessicachastka_dpt and @ladybirdpt for more pelvic health education!
By Dr. Jessica Chastka, PT, DPT, WCS
Jessica (she/her) earned her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, while playing softball. She received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in August 2015. In 2019 she became Board Certified in Women’s Health, through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists.
For the last five years she has been working as a pelvic floor physical therapist, treating people who have pelvic pain, leakage, urgency, frequency and constipation. This includes the pregnant and postpartum population as well as people with chronic pain. She is passionate about making her patients feel heard and seen, validating those who feel that their problems are not worth mentioning because everyone has them or because embarrassed to talk about them.