‘The Knack’ is a strong and well-timed contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. It involves the pelvic floor muscles contracting immediately before and during an increase in downward pressure on the pelvic floor. ‘The Knack’ exercise is actually a strong well-timed Kegel or pelvic floor exercise.
How Does ‘The Knack’ Help Control Bladder Leaks?
Bladder leaks can be controlled using this exercise which helps to close the urine tube more effectively. When the pelvic floor muscles are working as they should, they contract automatically before and during an increase in pressure from within the abdomen, such as during a cough, sneeze of lift.
Women often lose the ability to automatically contract their pelvic floor muscles due to pregnancy and childbirth, after some types of pelvic floor surgery or pelvic radiation therapy, or with repeated straining to empty the bowels. By actively contracting their pelvic floor muscles, women can often overcome the bladder leakage that occurs with lost automatic activity.
Can ‘The Knack’ Help Prolapse Support?
‘The Knack’ involves lifting and firming the pelvic floor muscles to withstand downward pressure from within the abdomen. A strong well-timed pelvic floor muscle contraction may help to reduce the downward movement of the pelvic floor (and prolapse) helping to decrease prolapse symptoms during events or activities that increase pelvic floor pressure. If you have a prolapse or previous prolapse surgery, this technique is definitely worth knowing for long-term pelvic floor support and protection. Physical Therapy also assists in supporting the pelvic floor. Learn how physical therapy can help today!
When to do ‘The Knack’?
‘The Knack’ can be used with events or activities that increase downward pressure upon your pelvic floor such as:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Lifting
- Blowing your nose
- Rising into standing from sitting
- Stepping down heavily.
How to do ‘The Knack’ Exercise?
You can practice ‘The Knack’ exercise to control bladder leaks and support your pelvic floor, here’s how…
- Sit away from the back of the chair or stand tall with your chest lifted and the normal inward curve in your low back
- Lift and squeeze the muscles in and around all three pelvic openings (urethra, vagina, and anus) immediately before you cough, sneeze or lift
- Contract around all three pelvic openings at once, with a strong inward lift and squeeze of your pelvic floor muscles
- Maintain this pelvic floor muscle contraction as you do a small cough
- After you cough, relax your pelvic floor muscles back to normal resting level
- Progress this exercise with more forceful cough, or repeating a couple of coughs in a row maintaining your pelvic floor contraction throughout as you do so
The Knack is a quick and simple exercise technique that can very quickly improve bladder control during episodes of increased pressure on the pelvic floor. It is also a very useful technique to help women protect their prolapse and reduce prolapse symptoms. Simply remember to lift and squeeze with every cough, lift or sneeze.
Interested in learning more about Pelvic Floor and how Physical Therapy can help? Book an appointment with Blue Sky Physical Therapy today!