When most of us think of muscles, it’s the biceps, triceps, and quadriceps that often come to mind. But our bodies contain “hidden” muscles, too, including the muscles of the pelvic floor.
These muscles (and ligaments) provide support for pelvic organs, like the bladder, colon, and uterus. If they weaken, we can wind up with urinary or fecal incontinence, along with a more serious problem called pelvic organ prolapse.
Taking steps to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles can help prevent problems from occurring. At Starkey Medical Esthetics, Michele Meinhart, FNP, helps women strengthen their pelvic floor with the state-of-the-art vTone® system from InModeMD.
The muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor combine to form a supportive sling designed to keep your pelvic organs supported and in their proper positions. But as we get older, those muscles and ligaments weaken. Childbirth, hormonal changes, and weight fluctuations also play a role, and some types of surgery or injuries can also weaken those muscles.
When the pelvic floor muscles are no longer able to support the pelvic organs, it becomes more difficult to control bladder and bowel function, leading to symptoms of incontinence. Over time, continued weakening allows organs to “drop” lower, sometimes protruding into the vaginal cavity. This is a condition called prolapse, and it can be painful.
Even though you can t go to the gym to exercise your pelvic floor muscles, you can do Kegel exercises. These exercises were developed specifically for improving pelvic floor muscle tone, but it isn’t always easy to get the results you want — or even to remember to do them consistently.
The vTone system was designed to mimic the action of a regular Kegel exercise without having to flex your muscles yourself. Instead, the system relies on a tiny current of electricity to trigger pelvic floor muscle contractions.
vTone features a smooth, cylindrical device designed to be comfortably inserted inside your vagina. Once in place, the device emits pulses of electrical energy that cause the muscles to contract in the same way they contract during a Kegel.
With vTone, though, contractions occur automatically during sessions lasting about 20-30 minutes. That means you enjoy far more contractions in a much shorter time than you would by simply doing Kegels on your own.
Though vTone can produce noticeable results in a single session, most women benefit from a series of treatments spaced out over several weeks. Your treatment timing and frequency will be adjusted to your specific needs for optimal results.
This simple procedure gives your pelvic floor muscles the workout they need to stay toned. Treatment is comfortable, although it isn’t uncommon to have some slight soreness afterward, just like the muscle soreness that comes from working out at the gym.
With vTone, there’s no need for medication, anesthesia, or incisions, making it a great option for just about everyone. If you’re having symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, vTone could be the solution you’re seeking. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Starkey Medical Esthetics in Salem, Virginia, today.
