Abstract
In the 1950s, the observations of the American surgeon Arnold Kegel led to the recognition of the concept of pelvic floor rehabilitation and to the subsequent use of the muscular portion of the pelvic floor in the treatment of urinary incontinence and genital prolapse. In fact these specific muscular exercises became known as Kegel exercises. In the 1970s, this concept of a therapeutic approach to treat the dysfunctions of the pelvic floor was revived and proposed in Europe, above all by French professionals. Today the most distinguished medical organizations recognize the validity of pelvic floor rehabilitation and consider it a first-line therapeutic approach for the treatment of certain pathological conditions: fecal and urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, syndrome of chronic pelvic pain, sexual dysfunctions, alterations in the sensory control, and evacuation process of defecation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Scott KM. Pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of fecal incontinence. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2014;27:99–105.
Townsend MK, Mattews CA, Whithehead WE, Grodstein F. Risk factors for fecal incontinence in older women. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108:113–9.
Rao SSC. Current and emerging treatment options for fecal incontinence. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014;48:752–64.
Umphred D. Neurological rehabilitation. Mosby Elsevier: St. Louis; 2007.
Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott M. Motor control: theory and practical applications. Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 1995.
Haslam J, Laycock J. Biofeedback. In: Haslam J, Laycock J, editors. Therapeutic management of incontinence and pelvic pain pelvic organ disorders. Springer-Verlag London Limited; 2008.
Giruaudo D, Lamberti G. Esercizio terapeutico nel rinforzo muscolare del pavimento pelvico. In: Giraudo- Lamberti, editor. Incontinenza urinaria femminile. Ed. Ermes Bologna, Italy; 2007.
Dorey G, Speakman M, Feneley R, et al. Randomised controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle exercises and manometric biofeedback for erectile dysfunction. Br J Gen Pract. 2004;54:819–25.
Di Benedetto P. Riabilitazione uro-ginecologica. Ed. Minerva Medica, Torino, Italy; 2004.
Bø K, Mørkved S, Frawley H, Sherburn M. Evidence for benefit of transversus abdominis training alone or in combination with pelvic floor muscle training to treat female urinary incontinence: a systematic review. NeurourolUrodyn. 2009;28:368–73.
Meyer I, Richter HE. An evidence-based approach to the evaluation, diagnostic assessment and treatment of fecal incontinence in women. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep. 2014;3:155–64.
Leroi AM, Siproudhis L, Etienney I, et al. Transcutaneous electrical tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence: a randomized trial (CONSORT 1a). Am J Gastroenterol. 2012;107:1888–96.
Knowles CH, Horrocks EJ, Bremner SA et al. CONFIDeNT Study Group. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus sham electrical stimulation for the treatment of faecal incontinence in adults (CONFIDeNT): a double-blind, multicentre, pragmatic, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2015;386(10004):1640–8.
Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR), Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists (AIGO). Diagnosis and treatment of faecal incontinence: Consensus statement of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery and the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists. Dig Liv Dis. 2015;47:628–45.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
d’Alba, L., Rivera, M. (2016). Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation. In: Mongardini, M., Giofrè, M. (eds) Management of Fecal Incontinence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32226-1_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32226-1_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-32224-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-32226-1
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)