transverse abdominal vs bladder muscle control

[everyman]

hello,

just need some help understanding core activation exercise here

my physiotherapist taught me how to activate my core muscle, and I have been practicing it for the past few months, but recently I discovered this core activation also tightens my bladder muscle and it's causing me to unable to urinate easily.

I activate my core by breathing out until I feel the very center "spherical" like thing tightens and my back muscle also tightens up. then I stop holding my breath while keeping control of that center. is it normal that this also affect my bladder muscle or am I doing it wrong?

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[Emanuele]

Hello everyman,

Could I ask you how come your doing core muscle exercises? Any back problem?

Could you tell us a bit more about this problem in passing water?

Are you passing water more frequently than you used to do?
Have you noticed you are going to the toilet during the night more often than usual?
Do you experience any urgency?
Do you have problem on starting to void your bladder?
Is the flow regular or does it seem a bit slower and weaker than usual?

Have you mention that to your physio?

All the best

[everyman]

I am doing core exercise because I had lower back problems and my physio recommended me do to this.

this problem only occurs when I attempt the core execise, but I think I am doing it wrong and I need confirmation that core exercise is not supposed to tighten bladder muscles. if I am doing it wrong, I will stop doing it and learn from my physio again.

[violablue]

Yes, I see where Emanuel is going with line of questioning. Sometimes a low back injury can cause issues with the spinal cord which can then effect bowel and bladder issues. So it may have nothing to do with the core exercise and something to do with the spine, which is a red flag for immediate medical attention.

When you activate "core" the idea is to activate transverse abdominis and multifidis, but to complete the whole package the diaghragm and the pelvic floor get involved as well. The problem is with overactivation you may be developing pelvic floor trigger points which can cause issues with bladder. Usually it's so that you can't hold it or have urine release with coughing, sneezing, that sort of thing.

The not be able to go easily points to the red flag or some other issue you may need to get checked out by your doctor. Don't delay with urine retention. It can become a serious situation quickly.

[rajdeepmann]

Hi, I agree with Violablue. As pelvic floor muscles are prone to fatigue fairly quickly especially if u overdo exercise or contract them for longer time, which might cause urine passing during activities like coughing, laughing, blowing nose or sneezing rather than problems passing urine. There are many other reasons for urine retention or difficulty passing urine which should be addressed timely. So u should see ur GP
Gud luck