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The Pelvic Floor: What is it and Why Should I Exercise it?

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10m of CPD
If the pelvic floor muscles are weakened, this can cause urinary or faecal incontinence. The loss of urine or faeces as an adult carries significant societal taboos. So strong is the taboo that people living with incontinence may have a negative body image and feel socially isolated.

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What is this article about?

The pelvic floor is a sheet of muscles that extends from the coccyx (tail bone) to the pubic bone at the front of the body. This forms a platform between the legs and, as the name suggests, provides a floor to support the bladder and bowel. The pelvic floor muscles also help to control the urethra and anus - allowing for the passage of urine and faeces out of the body. Female pelvic floor muscles also support the womb.

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Meet the educator

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Zoe Hughes
Zoe is a copywriter and blogger from the UK. Once working as an Operating Department Practitioner in a busy Orthopaedic theatre suite specialising in regional anaesthetic techniques, she now writes for the health industry due to disability. Using the education and skills learned as a nurse, along with the experience of being disabled – Zoe is passionate about helping health professionals communicate better with their patients via social media, blogs and websites. In her spare time, Zoe is a governor at her local primary school, and is writing a play about invisible illness.
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323 reviews by Ausmed Learners
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Erika McGuire
29 Sep 2020
Great learning
AM
Ashlea Maillard
22 Jul 2022
Registered Nurse
Quick and easy to understand
SC
Sandesh Chand
22 Sep 2023
Personal Care Assistant (PCA)
This exercise must be included in our regular exercise.
SS
Safal Shrestha
22 Sep 2023
Very informative
KM
Karan Morrisey
03 Mar 2021
Excellent resource easy to follow succinct
JM
Jerzy Muchnicki
03 Oct 2023
Other Profession
useful and informative
RP
Riley Parkinson
10 Jan 2022
This was a quick and easy read with very relevant and useful information about the pelvic floor and the importance of pelvic floor exercises.
GG
Glenda Goodwin
24 Sep 2022
Good information
NC
Nidhi Cody
21 Oct 2020
Easy to read and follow through along with reference for further reading.
JB
Jessica Blackmore
06 Oct 2023
Useful resource for education clients
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