Episode 63: Our Unfiltered Opinion on Kegels in Pelvic Floor Rehab

This episode takes a clear, evidence-informed look at one of the most polarized topics in pelvic health: kegels. We break down what a kegel actually is (a pelvic floor muscle contraction), why the conversation around it has become so confusing, and how both the “always prescribe” and “never prescribe” camps miss the nuance. Drawing from clinical experience, we explain how pelvic floor rehab has evolved, why isolated muscle contractions still matter, and how they fit into a broader, functional, system-based approach to recovery. In This Episode: 🧠 What a kegel actually is (and isn’t)⚖️ The pendulum swing: from overprescribed to overcorrected📱 How social media has distorted pelvic health messaging🏋️‍♀️ Why isolated muscle training still has a (small, initial) role in rehab🔗 The pelvic floor as part of a larger functional system🤯 Why patients feel confused (and sometimes fearful)🏃‍♀️ Progression: from awareness → strength → automatic function💬 Using patient-centered language vs. clinical accuracyThe problem isn’t Kegels—it’s pretending they’re either everything or nothing.Find The Birds: 📧 [email protected]📱 Follow along on Instagram @ladybirdpt🩺 Work with us at Lady Bird PT (in-person or virtual)⭐ Leave a review if this episode helped you cut through the noise