Two different chiropractors have told me recently that it's good to do butt exercises, where you pretend like you're holding in a fart. I don't know what those muscles are called, nor what the exercises are called, but that's how they described it to me.
They are both busy people, so I never asked them to explain.
Does anybody know why it's beneficial to exercise the anal muscles like that? What are those exercises called? Does anybody else here do them?
Thanks for the answers. Please don't tell me to google this one. I already saw pictures of guys' balls today, and it was too much! Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
I don't know, probably because all those pelvic muscles are connected to your core abs. Those of us women who've had kids are supposed to do it anyway, just because childbirth is so hard on the muscles connected there.
Posted by average joe (Member # 26091) on :
Too funny!
My guess would as jlp stated and to help with back, leg muscles. But as I said it is only a guess.
Now I need to try to get that picture out of my head and I didn't even see it. Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
And btw, they are called kegel exercises, at least that's the female version. I think the muscles are pretty much the same for men and women, with obvious exceptions.
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
jlp - Thanks for the info!! "Kegel Exercises", huh? Finally I have a name for them. I'll have to look it up sometime. Not today, though. I already saw enough nudity today.
average joe - just make sure you never google "fordyce spots"! That's when I saw other guys' nuts.
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
i think they really recommend it because they want you to hold in your farts.
Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
LOL. Well if you google "kegels", at least if you find diagrams or photos they would be of girl parts. Sounds like that might be more appealing to you. Ha ha ha.
Btw, my husband is a chiropractor and he says he's never ever recommended a guy to do butt exercises!
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Mo - LOL! I guess it's possible. I don't remember being particularly gaseous on those days...
jlp - Hmm... yes, the clipart of female anatomy does sound particularly appealing, but I think I'll wait for tomorrow. I've had enough excitement for the day. Maybe my heart will start racing as I'm viewing the diagrams, and then how am I supposed to go to sleep?
Your husband has never recommended the butt exercises?! What's going on here?! Maybe my doctors are just making fun of me, and trying to see if they can make me do weird things?
Has nobody here ever been recommended to do kegels? I'm still looking for a clear answer of the benefits. Maybe I'll google it tomorrow. I'll make sure to disable images and animations, first. Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Okay, I looked it up, but it wasn't all that I thought it would be. I mean - the diagrams of female anatomy. I didn't even break a sweat!
After researching it, I still don't understand why they would tell me to do those exercises. I understand they're good for urinary incontinence and bladder control, but I don't have problems with either.
Other sites claim that they are good for "stronger orgasms, firmer erections, and tighter vaginas." Okay.... I'm not really having a problem in those areas... except maybe I don't have a vagina.
Maybe my doctors, after noticing that I have such an erotic physique, wanted to make me to become a porn star??! That's all I can come up with for now.
If anybody knows any GOOD reasons why chiropractors would recommend kegels, I would love to hear them.
Thanks! Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
When you do it, do you feel your lower abs tighten too? That's all i can come up with. You just might have to break down and ask your doc. Maybe they just think you have a flabby ass. Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Yes, pelvic floor exercise can help with muscle toning from the outside, but such training really helps keep the insides (and body fluids)in their place. This kind of exercise focuses on bladder strength. However, even the colon, rectum and anal muscles can loose tightness with age and pelvic floor exercises can help keep things where they belong. And, it can help your back, posture, etc.
First, your doctors should have been more precise with the name and reason - and given you a printout and referral to a specialist to TEACH you exactly how to do this correctly. It may feel like you are doing muscle contractions but the difference between getting it right or wrong can be hard to distinguish.
Google Search: "pelvic floor exercise for men"
Several good links. Two of those: ------------
A leading physiotherapist is calling on men aged 45 and above to begin exercising their pelvic muscles, to prevent some rather embarrassing, yet life altering disorders such as incontinence, prostate problems and ED.
Video � 3 minute video from Network Ten, Australian TV. An interview with a physiotherapist who explains the importance of learning with biofeedback first, then doing at home daily.
The connection of pelvic floor exercise to core strength is addressed, too.
Associate Professor Pauline Chiarelli [also from Australia]
Men who do Pelvic Exercises Recover Earlier
In the current study, the researchers randomly assigned 38 men scheduled for radical prostatectomy to either a treatment group or a control group.
The men in the treatment group were referred to a physical therapist. They were instructed how to do Pelvic Floor Exercises both before and after surgery, using biofeedback to ensure they were using the proper muscles. The control group did not receive any formal instruction.
All of the men completed questionnaires regarding bladder function at regular intervals over the next year.
Overall, 82% of the patients had regained continence (defined as not needing to use any absorbent pads) by the end of the year, including about equal numbers in both groups. But on average the men who had been educated about Pelvic exercises regained continence about one month earlier than those in the control group (at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks).
. . .
But the exercises seemed to be effective. Pelvic floor exercise and education initiated prior to surgery is an effective noninvasive intervention useful for improving early return of urinary continence, the authors concluded.
It would certainly have a positive impact on our patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in an effort to improve quality of life after major urological surgery.
The results of the study were published in the Journal of Urology (Vol. 170, No. 1: 130-133)
Pelvic Exercises and The Bits Below the Belt DVD
Associate Professor Pauline Chiarelli is an academic at the University of Newcastle. She is a leading national and international speaker and the author of many research papers and books on Pelvic floor exercises for men and women.
Pauline is widely acknowledged as a leading expert, yet she's also able to reach out to ordinary men and women and write and explain in a positive, uplifting style as revealed in this DVD.
Pelvic Floor Exercises and the Bits Below the Belt DVD, has 9 Chapters covering
1.Introduction & Bits Below the Belt 2.Bladder Scans 3.Pelvic Floor Exercises 4.Your Exercise Plan 5.PFX Before Surgery 6.Being Boss of Your Bladder 7.Tips for Making You Boss of Your Bladder 8.Moving Forward 9.Credits and References
The DVD can be played as a play all or the various chapters can be selected and reviewed. This is especial great when reviewing the hands on pelvic exercise chapters.
The DVD goes for approx 25 minutes and gives a total incite into the Pelvic Floor muscles and how to exercise them and the Bits below the Belt.
The viewer is taken into the treatment room a get a better understand of the bladder by watching a bladder scan and watching a pelvic floor muscles being exercised in real time.
There is a also a very visual chapter on how to do pelvic exercises and what the bits below the belt look like when they are working out.
This DVD will assist Australian men to understand their pelvic floor muscles and assist them in pre and post prostate cancer treatment outcomes with incontinency.
As mentioned by on of the TV presenters, you first need professional instruction in this to be sure you're getting it right. Some Physical Therapists have training but be sure to find one who has taken the extra course work.
Some Pilates instructors might also have specific training in this area. Feldenkrais Technique instructors may also be helpful.
BioFeedBack (with a P.T.) can be tremendously helpful to learn correctly.
You can find many good links with Google searches for:
"pelvic floor" men, Feldenkrais
"pelvic floor" men, Pilates -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- For men and women, this is an excellent place to begin. The author is both a Physical Therapist and a Feldenkrais Teacher. --------------
� by Deborah J. Bowes, P.T.,& Feldenkrais practitioner
Excerpt:
. . . The pelvic floor is involved in many basic life functions as varied as digestion, elimination, reproduction, breathing, and balance. A healthy functioning pelvic floor promotes greater health in all of these areas.
The pelvic floor musculature works in a coordinated system of muscles to support the hips and lower back. . . .
Find a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Teacher
=============================
Yoga would also be a method to explore - and find an instructor with pelvic floor training for men. -
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Keebler? Are you back? Oh my goodness, you have no idea how much you've been missed!!!! Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
I started PT today and she had me lay on my back and lifted my butt too... is that the same? Then I had to wear this funny suit and walked on the treadmill. Boy I am so out of shape... just 8 minutes of S L O W walking and I'm so tired! I also had to stand on this pillow to practice my balance b/c my numb leg is causing all kinds of problems.
I thought they were going to massage me, had I know I would have to do physical activities I would have bailed out!! Haha
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Keebler, baby, where you been all my life? Thanks for the AWESOME info!!! Now I finally feel like I understand the importance of doing the kegel exercises. I'm gonna go back and look at your links more closely now. (BTW I hope you're a girl, because I never call guys "baby"... unless they're especially cute! ) (just kidding about the "cute" part)
jlp - did you read that info from Keebler? You should show that to your hubby! See what he thinks of it. Maybe he'll start having his patients exercise their asses as well!
Keebler - be careful for 17hens. She said some mean things to me while you were gone! I'm still recovering... Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
Keebler.. welcome back sweetie! We missed you and hope you are well!
Please update us if you would like on your status.
Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
I'm just glad someonenfinally pointed you to some real research. And yes, I'll tell hubby to get right on that.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I think, if I mentioned these exercises to my husband he would first ask what material I have been reading. Second while he was still giving me the steel glazed stare-he would say nothing. I don't think he would talk about *this*.
And reading the whole thing, serious as it is, gave me nightmares.
Good post though James, you certainly do liven up the board.
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
So... is anybody else here doing these anal exercises... these so-called "Kegels"?
Am I really the only one who has been recommended to do them? Is anybody else interested in trying them? I find it peculiar that it has been recommended to me by two different doctors to start doing them.
I've been doing them more and more frequently every day. I think I'm getting good at it. I wonder if it will help give me a firmer ass.
Seriously, though, I wonder if any of the benefits will be noticeable at all.
dogsandcats - why did this thread give you nightmares? Did you see the pictures of the guys' balls?
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
Most women who have had children are instructed to do kegels. I do them when I remember.
I would think they are good for anybody though, not just mothers.
James--where do you find the time in all your reading to do your butt exercises? Were you the one doing all the coffee enemas? Maybe that was why they suggested it.
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Jackie - didn't you know you can do kegels while you're reading a book? 2 birds with 1 stone, baby!
And NO, the 2 chiropractors didn't know that I do coffee enemas, so that can't be the reason why they suggested that I do kegels. Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
why did I know that as soon as I read the thread title I knew the owner of this?
BTW - I do Kegels.. not as often as I should. They do help with man maintenance
Fuel
Posted by Trainerguybp1980 (Member # 34231) on :
anyone from los angeles area
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Fuel - you know me too well by now!
Trainerguy - no LLMD requests on the "ass" thread.
Alice - to tell you the truth, I'm really not sure if it helps with keeping in farts. The main question is: Why would someone try to keep in a fart? Just let it go! It's completely natural!
Okay I actually have a true story about holding farts, and this was before I ever started to do kegels (but in a way it might be directly related to kegels):
After a month or two of coffee enemas, I realized that I had a much greater fart-holding capacity! It was really amazing. One time I was in public in a sensitive situation (a fart would have been devastating), and I was surprised how strong my fart-holding muscles were from the coffee enemas! It was unbelievable.
In a way, then, it would seem that holding the coffee enemas might be exercising the same muscles as the kegel exercises, no? If this is the case, then doing frequent coffee enemas would result in the same benefits as kegel exercises.
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
Hopefully this thread doesn't scare any newcomers away. LOL
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