Exercise

Body: 

I am still trying to figure out just what exercise I can do and what exercise I can't. Are there PTs who are trained to work with women with prolapses? How does one find them (close enough to drive to)?

Hi Bertilsgirl

I really don't know the answer to this one. You are in Northern Virginia, aren't you?

Christine could possibly put you on the right path, but she is pretty busy at the moment with her new Grandchild. Can you wait a couple of weeks, till she is back home again?

You could take pot luck out of the phonebook for accredited PT's, but there is no guarantee that you will find somebody who will be able to help you effectively. I don't know how PT's are trained in The States.

Ladies, can anybody help Bertilsgirl find a good PT close to her?

Cheers

Louise

Thanks Louise. I don't know either, because I haven't needed a PT before. I'm beginning to not believe the Drs who say no internal abodominal pressure - essentially that means no moving, as movement comes from the abdominal center. However, that makes no sense, because one's life can't be spent not moving. A prolapse should not make one into an invalid. Hence the question about the PT. Generally, I find alternative healing people to be much more useful than medical people, though I would not apply that indiscriminately to all. In this case, the PT could be physical therapist or personal trainer, but would have to be familiar with prolapse and related exercises.

Thanks.

hi bertilsgirl:

you really do want to make sure it's someone who has lots of experience speicifically with pelvic floor work. i think i would stick to a pt. how about calling a few midwifery services in your area for a referral? that might be a good place to start -- they might know of someone.

let me think if i have any other thoughts and i'll get back to you on that one.

xsusan

You could ask your Dr. for several referrals. Then I would call them and "interview" them.

- Lilly Anne

I think this makes a big difference. Just general guidelines though- walking is fine for me as is using the eliptical and stair climbing machines- I do free weights with 15-20 lbs but I do them in the sitting posture. I have just added some balance work to my routine. I think you can try a work out for a few weeks and if your prolapse is no worse then continue and add new things about every 2 weeks. I have read alot about PT on this site some good some bad- good luck there. You know your body best and will be able to tell if you are doing something that will hurt you. My advice is to take it slow and easy. B

I do martial arts (Hwardo) but am not familiar with the insides of gyms or fond of machines. I find I can do some of the Hwardo activities but have a great deal of trouble jumping or kicking. One doctor (who thought I was having back problems) told me not to bend backwards or lie on my stomach. That lets out some more Hwardo things. Then the gyne and the urogyne both told me nothing producing intra-abdominal pressure (both of them like surgery, and the gyne told me exercises wouldn't help). Since my insurance is HMO I am not free to change doctors, and the gyne is a very nice person, we simply don't see eye to eye. At the moment I'm sitting out at Hwardo until I can figure out for myself what I can and cannot do. It's frustrating to watch others do what I want to and cannot.

That's an excellent suggestion, to call midwives. Thanks. I know someone who did midwife delivery for her two children - I'll see if she can connect me. :):):):):):)

cool! let us know if that leads you to someone.

and, as was already mentioned, women have had mixed experiences with pt's. mine has been extremely good but i know others haven't found it to be useful. when you find someone and when/if you start working with her, keep checking in with your body and see how you feel. that really is the only barometer we have -- and,i should add, the only one that matters!

xxs