Exercise after prolapse diagnosis

Submitted by Justbecause on March 31, 2011 - 8:21pm
Body: 

This week I learned I have 1st degree prolapse. My doctor seemed unimpressed and only told me not to go to my weight-lifting class anymore. When I told her I actually lift very light weights she told me to trust her and that I would be sorry if I continued attending the classes. That was it. I'm waiting for my copy of the Whole Woman DVD to arrive and in the meantime I have stopped all but walking. I suppose any non-impact exercise like walking and swimming are safe with prolapse, but what about push-ups, the plank, tricep dips, squats, lunges, and spin classes? Thanks for any advice. This forum is my only current source of information.

clavicula

April 1, 2011 - 12:11am

Hey, Justbecause,

I think I have a grade 2 prolapse, but never get it properly diagnosed, so honestly I have no idea.

I am not a fitness expert myself, but I know that Alemama lift free weights regularly. She also runs and spins and swims (and jumps fences in the third trimester, so go figure) and does all the fit stuff. She'll answer all your questions, but she is very pregnant right now, so I have no idea if she can answer you right now.

I do Ashtanga yoga, so I do like 100 pushups (it is called Chaturanga) everyday 6 times a day. Planks, squats, lounges...yeah, I think. Christine also teaches deep ballet pliés to strenghten all muscles within our body.

Firts you need to learn WW posture and WW excercises from the DVD. With a nice strong lumbar curve in place, chest elevated, proper flow breathing you'll be able to keep up your activities, but posture is high priority for us who live with POP.

Good luck!
Liv

louiseds

April 1, 2011 - 10:26am

Hi Justbecause

I agree that getting your posture organised is the highest priority. When you have that going OK, try some of your exercises, all in WW posture. Try it gently at first, and monitor your sensations. As your new posture becomes more normal and automatic for it you can challenge your body with higher levels of exercises, and try different types. But I wouldn't keep up the current level of exercise unless you know that lesser levels are OK in WW posture, and don't cause POP symptoms.

Living with POP when you do a lot of physical exercise or exertion is very much about self awareness and knowing when to stop, or change the way you do a task, whatever that might be.

Louise

Chelan

April 1, 2011 - 4:15pm

Hi All,
Does anyone know if rebounders (mini tampolines) are o.k. to use for exercise? They are supposed to be really great for toning the body and the internal organs --- but not sure how that applies to the prolapsed organs. Anyone know????

clavicula

April 2, 2011 - 12:11am

Hi, Chelan,

If I remember correctly, Christine loves the huge pushing forward effect of jumping in proper WW posture. Give it a try and you'll see how it goes. WW posture is crucial, though.

Christine wrote this:

If you maintain the natural shape of your spine while jumping, maybe atmospheric pressure gets reversed and the organs get pulled toward their proper positions on the rebound. It would still be resistance, but opposite that of gravity.

Liv

louiseds

April 2, 2011 - 12:55am

We have discussed these before. Try putting 'trampoline' and 'rebounder' into separate searches in the Search box and find previous discussions. Use your browser's 'Find on this page' function to skim through each hit for highlighted text.

Chelan, once you have these techniques and practices and philosophy happening automatically you will probably find that you can do almost anything in WW posture! No guarantees, but it can turn out much better than you thought possible.

Louise

clavicula

April 4, 2011 - 12:07am

...you really need to challenge yourself and find out your own boundaries and limits. Good news: if you go too far, do not worry, things tend to go back to baseline again within a few days! :)

Liv