Instructions

Before pelvic surgery, begin practicing sitting with a lumbar roll for low back support. This will prepare you for feeling more comfortable using one after you have surgery. Supporting your spine to promote good posture can help you reduce post-surgical pain. If you are not in the habit of using a lumbar roll then you may need to start by using it intermittently until you get used to having this support. Start in intervals of 15 to 30 minutes until you build up the tolerance to using one all the time.

Setup

Begin sitting slumped forward with your back relaxed, looking toward the ground in front of you, and holding a rolled towel in one hand.

Movement

Scoot back in the chair and place the towel between the chair and the middle of your back. Then sit back against the towel, and sit up straight, aligning your ears, shoulders, and hips. Face forward and think about bringing your shoulder blades together. Hold this position.

Tip

Make sure maintain a gentle chin tuck and to not bent your back too far over the towel roll during the exercise. Do this seven times per day.

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Seated Posture 1

Seated Posture 2

Seated Posture 3

Instructions

Diaphragmatic breathing can help you control pain, reduce stress and improve your lymphatic circulation. Learning to use your diaphragm properly enhances your body's ability to drain excess fluid that can get congested following pelvic surgery. Be sure to notify your surgeon if you are concerned about abdominal pain from swelling after your surgery. Your surgeon can refer you to a pelvic health physical therapist for consultation and can offer non-invasive treatment to help reduce your pain, swelling, and loss of function related to congested fluids.

Setup

Begin lying on your back with your knees bent and feet resting on the floor.

Movement

Exhale, drawing in your abdominals as if you are pulling your belly button toward the floor, then inhale, focusing on expanding your belly instead of your chest.

Tip

Make sure to keep your low back flat on the ground during the exercise. Do this seven times per day.

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Supine Breathing Posture 1

Supine Breathing Posture 2

Instructions

Sleep postures that are uncomfortable or cause pain can keep us from getting the rest we need. Here are some quick tips to help make sleeping restful in any position.

When lying on your back, use 1 to 3 pillows under your thighs and knees to keep your back from arching and 1 pillow under your head to keep your spine in a more comfortable position.

If you lie on your side, use a firm pillow between your knees. This will reduce stress on your hips and lower back.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this can flatten the natural curve of your spine and lead to pain. If you must lie on your stomach, support your spine with pillows under your head, stomach, and legs.

Your pillow should support your neck and help it rest in a healthy and balanced position. You can easily roll a towel at home and place it under your neck and back for support. A therapist can help you find the correct sleeping posture for your condition, as some positions are better than others, depending on your injury.

Images

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Sleep Position 1

Sleep Position 2

Instructions

When transferring from sitting on your bed to lying down, it's important to remember proper form to make your movements easier and prevent injury.

• Begin in a seated position on the edge of your bed.
• Slowly ease down onto your side with your knees bent, moving your head towards the pillow.
• Once you are lying on your side, roll onto your back, keeping your spine in a neutral position and making sure your torso does not twist.
• Straighten your legs one at a time.

To return to a seated position:

• Bend your legs one at a time.
• Slowly roll to your side so you are facing the edge of the bed.
• At the same time, lower your feet towards the floor and push your torso up with your arms until you're in a seated position on the edge of the bed.

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Log Roll 1

Log Roll 2

Instructions

Urinary incontinence refers to a leakage of urine. This condition affects millions of people. Although urine leakage affects both men and women, women are two times more likely to have this problem.

Loss of urine can be caused by pelvic muscle weakness or pain, or by not knowing how to use your pelvic muscles. Leakage usually happens during activities like moving quickly, playing sports, or during a cough. Any action that creates pressure or strain on the lower abdomen and pelvis can cause leakage.

Therapy can address pelvic and abdominal muscle coordination, strength, and endurance through a therapy program that teaches you bladder control and home exercises.

In some cases, physical therapy cannot cure urinary incontinence. Therefore you will need to consult with a urologist to learn about other options that can help you restore normal pelvic function.

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Urinary Incontinence 1

Urinary Incontinence 2

Urinary Incontinence 3