Pilates & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction; The Research and Benefits
Having taught pilates for a long time now both in a one to capacity and in class, in general format and also in a more specialised way I’ve always known the benefits of the core, floor, breath and movement approach the pilates provides.
When we started first it was very purist; breath, connect with thr transversus abdominus, move your limbs. This was based on a research study by Hodges (1996/97). The research at the time was groundbreaking and served to create a different approach to treating low back pain than we had previously as physiotherapists.
Since then we have seen treatment move on, become less specific, but the research still does support the use of pilates as a co-ordinated and combined movement approach to support rehabilitation of the system in low back pain sufferers.
The research with regard to its support on the pelvic floor and its outcomes in terms of support of those with incontinence and other pelvic floor dysfunction is also coming out continuously.
New research presented at the ICS (International Continence Society) 2024 ; What does work in PFME prescription? update of clinical trial evidence Malgorzata (Gosia) Starzec-Proserpio, E Jean C Hay-Smith states that ‘ Co-ordinated pelvic floor muscles training may result in slightly improved incontinence quality of life compared to direct pelvic floor muscle training’.
I know, as I see it all the time, how it helps support people in their rehabilitation through its repetitive and gentle style and the support of your teacher in a small class environment can be key to you learning and actually carrying out your exercises. I find it contributes hugely to motivation. But to see it backed up by the research is phenomenal.
So why include Pilates into your regime if you have Pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence or prolapse?
We know that disorders of breathing and continence have a stronger association with back pain than obesity and physical activity (Smith,Russell & Hodges 2006)
A Pilates exercise - and standard PFM exercise program seems to be equally effective, in improving the recovery time of urinary incontinence (UI)as well as improving quality of life (QoL). Higher rates of fully-recovered individuals, diagnosed with UI, are found among individuals following Pilates exercise programmes. Current best available evidence states that individuals, diagnosed with UI, can benefit by doing as little as one session per week, for 8 to 52 weeks( Pedriali 2016).
A study completed by Coleman et al. (2015), determined no statistically significant difference between the IAP in sit-to-stand and fundamental Pilates exercises and therefore recommends Pilates exercises to women desiring a low intra-abdominal pressure exercise routine. therefore it is a great addition to helping with prolapse. A total of thirteen studies show level 1a Evidence for reducing stage of prolapse along other studies that reduce symptoms (Kari Bo 2022).
So there you have it - if you are finding it difficult to get strong in your pelvic floor, are worried about symptoms and want to get improvement- its pretty obvious I think!
For a very special event Pelvic Floor, Pilates and Prosecco evening in collaboration with Rachael Davis of Repower Bray a highly experienced reformer and mat work pilates instructor and myself please do follow this link to find out more https://www.elainebarryphysio.com/events
