This is a news headline unrelated to the chemical industry; here is its translation: Pelvic Floor Exercises Improve Quality of Life

Experts note that physical exercise can have positive effects on brain health as well as physical health, emphasizing that breathing and pelvic floor exercises play an important role in improving quality of life.

Dr. Asiye Gülsüm Kakı, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist at Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital, stated that regular breathing exercises can contribute to stress management and help reduce pain sensitivity, particularly in conditions characterized by chronic pain such as fibromyalgia. Noting that pelvic floor exercises, which were previously recommended mainly for women, have become an important practice for men as well, Dr. Kakı said that exercises such as Squat and Kegel can strengthen pelvic floor muscles and support urinary control.

Breathing exercises can reduce stress and contribute to pain management
Dr. Kakı emphasized that physical exercise is effective not only on muscle and joint health but also on the nervous system and brain health, particularly highlighting the importance of breathing exercises.

Dr. Kakı, stating that chronic stress in fibromyalgia patients can lead to increased pain due to changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and excessive activation of the autonomic nervous system, spoke as follows:

"When a person learns to cope with stress, a reduction in pain sensitivity can be observed. Breathing exercises are quite a valuable method in this process. The aim is to fill the lungs completely with breath taken through the nose, relax the abdominal muscles, and use the diaphragm effectively. When exhaling, it is recommended to release the breath over a duration approximately twice as long as the inhalation period. While this method helps the person relax, it can also contribute to reducing pain levels."

Pelvic floor exercises are important for both women and men
Dr. Kakı emphasized that pelvic floor exercises are not solely an application for women and noted that these exercises can help improve quality of life in men as well.

Stating that exercises such as Squat strengthen pelvic floor muscles as well as thigh muscles, Dr. Kakı said that Kegel exercises, which were previously recommended to women in the postpartum period, are now considered an important supportive exercise method for both women and men.

Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can support urinary control
Dr. Kakı, noting that strengthening pelvic floor muscles helps balance intra-abdominal pressure and pelvic floor pressure, concluded with the following remarks:

"Thanks to pelvic floor exercises, pressure on the bladder can be better controlled and can help reduce the risk of urinary incontinence. In addition, it can support prevention of uterine prolapse. In men, pelvic floor exercises can play a supportive role in managing complaints of frequent urination that may develop with age due to prostate enlargement."