Hypopressives for Pelvic Health, Postpartum Recovery, Diastasis Recti & Urinary Incontinence

Hypopressives are becoming more popular and now available with Dr. Meredith Hodges at Dalhousie Health & Wellness. Hypopressives aim to reprogram the automatic function of the core, while helping to support the pelvic floor. The technique involves breath work, breath on apnea (a breath hold technique to lift and activate the deep core) and postural poses.




The Hypopressives technique is a series of poses and breathing exercises that were originally created to help with postpartum recovery and pelvic health (pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence). The technique has grown into a fitness program for everyone to enjoy. The benefits go beyond the postpartum body and span to everyone from the high level athlete, seniors and of course helpful in postpartum recovery. The technique aims to train the pelvic floor muscles, transverse abdominals, diaphragm and multifidus. This group of muscles can become weak or, simply not function at the proper time. When one or more of these deep core muscles isn’t functioning optimally we end up with injury (hernias, low back pain, disc herniations, sciatica, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, diastases recti…and the list goes on.)


Hypopressives are a gentle and safe way to train the weakened deep core, allowing you to get back to the activities affected by pain, hernias, pelvic organ prolapse and the postpartum body. One of the most popular benefits of training with the technique are flattened abdominals, improving the gap associated with diastasis recti and a decreased waist size- or help correct the “ mummy tummy”. People often notice less urinary leakage and a decrease in prolapse symptoms with a consistent program. The benefits extended to decreased pain (in the hips, back, pelvis and sciatica) and improved sexual function.


If you would like to improve your pelvic health, prevent injury and ease recovery then Hypopressives may be a great option for you. At your next visit with Dr. Meredith Hodges at Dalhousie Health & Wellness, you can look forward to exploring the benefits of hyporessives and discussing if they are the right fit for YOU.