The Difference Between Kegels and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
When most people hear the term “pelvic floor,” they immediately think of Kegel exercises. While Kegels can be helpful, they’re just one small piece of the pelvic health puzzle.
If you’ve been told to "just do your Kegels" but are still dealing with issues like urinary leaking, pelvic pain, or discomfort during sex, you're not alone—and there’s a good reason why that advice might not be working.
Let’s break down the key difference between Kegels and pelvic floor physical therapy, and why understanding this distinction can be a game changer for your pelvic health.
💡 What Are Kegels, Really?
Kegels are a specific type of pelvic floor muscle exercise designed to strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. The basic motion is simple: tighten, hold, and release the pelvic floor muscles.
Kegel exercises are commonly recommended for:
Preventing or reducing urinary incontinence
Improving sexual function and sensation
Supporting pelvic organ health
Sounds great, right? But here’s the catch...
🚨 Kegels Aren’t for Everyone
Here’s the truth: not everyone needs to strengthen their pelvic floor. For many people, the issue isn’t weakness—it’s tension.
If your pelvic floor muscles are tight, overactive, or uncoordinated, doing Kegels could actually make your symptoms worse. Imagine doing bicep curls all day with a cramped arm—you’d feel worse, not better.
🧠 Enter: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) offers a personalized, whole-body approach to treating pelvic floor dysfunction. A trained pelvic floor physical therapist evaluates far more than just your ability to do Kegels. They look at:
Posture and breathing patterns
Core and hip strength
Muscle coordination and tension
How your pelvic floor is functioning within the context of your entire body
Based on what they find, your treatment may include:
Internal or external manual therapy
Breathwork to improve diaphragm-pelvic floor coordination
Stretching or strengthening (including surrounding muscles)
Behavioral strategies like bladder retraining
Exercises to improve muscle coordination, activation, and relaxation
The goal isn’t just stronger muscles—it’s a balanced, responsive pelvic floor that works with your body, not against it.
🧘♀️ So, When Are Kegels Helpful?
When prescribed by a pelvic floor specialist, Kegels can be extremely effective—especially for someone with a hypotonic (underactive) pelvic floor.
But the key is knowing:
If Kegels are appropriate for your body
How to do them correctly (many people don’t!)
When to do them—and when not to
How many to do, how often, and for how long
This is exactly where pelvic floor physical therapy comes in: helping you understand what your body truly needs.
🏁 The Bottom Line
Doing Kegels without understanding your pelvic floor can be like doing crunches without knowing how your core functions. Sometimes Kegels help—but other times, they may be the wrong move.
Pelvic floor therapy goes beyond a one-size-fits-all exercise plan. It gives you a personalized roadmap to:
Understand your pelvic floor and its specific needs
Feel confident in your healing plan
Move without pain, fear, or leakage
Reconnect with your body and pelvic health
✨ The Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness Difference
At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we go beyond the basics to offer truly personalized care. We take the time to understand your full story—your symptoms, your goals, and how your pelvic floor fits into the bigger picture of your health. Our expert team blends clinical expertise with compassion to create a treatment plan that’s effective, supportive, and uniquely yours. Whether you’re dealing with leaking, pain, or just feeling disconnected from your body, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
👉 Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment or reach out for a free 10-minute phone call consultation—we’d love to support you on your pelvic health journey.
