As women resolve to focus on fitness for the New Year, they shouldnapostrophet neglect what they canapostrophet see. Having a strong pelvic floor - the group of muscles located on the underside of the pelvis responsible for bladder control - is vital in helping women stay in control of their bodies and live active lifestyles. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, one in four women suffers from some type of bladder weakness. Many women think that bladder weakness is a reality of pregnancy or getting older, but simple exercises can vastly improve symptoms of a weakened pelvic floor.
Core Wellness, a new program sponsored by TENA(R) (formerly known as Serenity(R)), the worldwide leader in the management of incontinence, puts the spotlight on the importance of pelvic fitness. The program helps women improve the tone and control of their pelvic floor muscles with the PELVICORE Technique. Designed by Kari Bo, an international expert in exercise science and physiotherapy, the PELVICORE Technique is a gentle, quick and easy exercise routine for women of all ages and levels of ability. The routine helps increase overall pelvic strength and stability and improves posture and tummy tone. A very practical benefit is its proven ability to both prevent and, in 60 to 70 percent of women with stress urinary incontinence, cure bladder weakness (1).
"Little time is spent explaining to women the role of their pelvic floor and the impact of neglect or damage. Even more importantly, women donapostrophet know how to train these muscles to prevent future problems or reduce current symptoms," says Bo. "Many women consider weakened pelvic floor muscles and the symptoms they are suffering a natural part of life, but the PELVICORE Technique is a proven, quick and easy way to get back in control."
The PELVICORE Technique is designed to make exercising these muscles quick and easy with a simple 20 -minute daily routine. Created for women and men of all ages and ability, the exercises can be done in a variety of positions, including standing up or sitting on a chair, and are as effective as floor exercises.
"What makes the PELVICORE Technique unique is that it combines exercise and physiotherapy techniques to not only strengthen the pelvic floor muscles but also help support the bodyapostrophes core to improve posture, movement and control," says Bo.
1 Bo K., Hagen: "Is There Still a Place for Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Female Incontinence?" EAU Update Series, Volume 1, Issue 3, Page 145.
About the Core Wellness Program and Kari Bo:
The PELVICORE Technique is produced by Core Wellness, an international campaign supported by TENA(R), aiming to improve womenapostrophes health and wellbeing. Professor Kari Bo is an exercise scientist and physiotherapist at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo. She has spent 20 years researching pelvic floor disorders and developing techniques for sufferers and is considered a leading expert of pelvic floor muscle training world-wide.