Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Safe core exercises after hysterectomy to reduce swelly belly and gently reactivate deep abdominal muscles. Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Michelle Kenway guides you through this gentle hysterectomy recovery exercise routine for weeks 1–6 after abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic hysterectomy.
▶️ Watch these deep abdominal exercises youtu.be/6I5doGDX5mA?si=0w3dVZfrElOQ8luC
Physio-guided core exercises include diaphragmatic breathing, deep abdominal activation, bent knee fallouts, heel slides, and gentle core progression exercises to help you activate and progressively retrain core muscle control during early hysterectomy recovery.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists can provide you with individualized assessment and guidance for your core and pelvic floor exercises during hysterectomy recovery.
References
Drummond, G. B. (2003). The abdominal muscles in anaesthesia and after surgery. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 91(1), 73–80. doi.org/10.1093/bja/aeg145
Gille, U. (2007). Transversus abdominis muscle, left [Modified illustration based on Gray’s Anatomy]. Wikimedia Commons. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Transversus_abdominis.png
Hodges, P. W., Sapsford, R., & Pengel, L. H. M. (2007). Postural and respiratory functions of the pelvic floor muscles. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 26(3), 362–371. doi.org/10.1002/nau.20232
Kenway, M. D. (2011). Inside out: The essential women’s guide to pelvic floor safe exercise.
Shah, S., Vaishali, K., Prasad, S. S., & Babu, A. S. (2020). Altered patterns of abdominal muscle activation during forced exhalation following elective laparotomy: An experimental research. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 61, 198–204. doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.080
Tazreean, R., Nelson, G., & Twomey, R. (2022). Early mobilization in enhanced recovery after surgery pathways: Current evidence and recent advancements. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 11(2), 121–129. doi.org/10.2217/cer-2021-0258
Wu, A., & Drummond, G. B. (2006). Respiratory muscle activity and respiratory obstruction after abdominal surgery. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 96(4), 510–515. doi.org/10.1093/bja/ael035
Yani, M. S., Wesselmann, U., Cottrell, A. M., Baranowski, A. P., & Engeler, D. S. (2022). Impaired ability to relax pelvic floor muscles in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The Journal of Urology, 208(1), 148–156. doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002560
Zivkovic, V., Lazovic, M., Vlajkovic, M., Slavkovic, A., Dimitrijevic, L., Stankovic, I., & Vacic, N. (2012). Diaphragmatic breathing exercises and pelvic floor retraining in children with dysfunctional voiding. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 48(3), 413–421. PMID: 22669134
Medical Disclaimer
This video is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individual assessment, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified health professional. Please seek individual advice from a qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist or your healthcare professional.
Safe core exercises after hysterectomy to reduce swelly belly and gently reactivate deep abdominal muscles. Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Michelle Kenway guides you through this gentle hysterectomy recovery exercise routine for weeks 1–6 after abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic hysterectomy.
▶️ Watch these deep abdominal exercises youtu.be/6I5doGDX5mA?si=0w3dVZfrElOQ8luC
Physio-guided core exercises include diaphragmatic breathing, deep abdominal activation, bent knee fallouts, heel slides, and gentle core progression exercises to help you activate and progressively retrain core muscle control during early hysterectomy recovery.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists can provide you with individualized assessment and guidance for your core and pelvic floor exercises during hysterectomy recovery.
References
Drummond, G. B. (2003). The abdominal muscles in anaesthesia and after surgery. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 91(1), 73–80. doi.org/10.1093/bja/aeg145
Gille, U. (2007). Transversus abdominis muscle, left [Modified illustration based on Gray’s Anatomy]. Wikimedia Commons. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Transversus_abdominis.png
Hodges, P. W., Sapsford, R., & Pengel, L. H. M. (2007). Postural and respiratory functions of the pelvic floor muscles. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 26(3), 362–371. doi.org/10.1002/nau.20232
Kenway, M. D. (2011). Inside out: The essential women’s guide to pelvic floor safe exercise.
Shah, S., Vaishali, K., Prasad, S. S., & Babu, A. S. (2020). Altered patterns of abdominal muscle activation during forced exhalation following elective laparotomy: An experimental research. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 61, 198–204. doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.080
Tazreean, R., Nelson, G., & Twomey, R. (2022). Early mobilization in enhanced recovery after surgery pathways: Current evidence and recent advancements. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 11(2), 121–129. doi.org/10.2217/cer-2021-0258
Wu, A., & Drummond, G. B. (2006). Respiratory muscle activity and respiratory obstruction after abdominal surgery. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 96(4), 510–515. doi.org/10.1093/bja/ael035
Yani, M. S., Wesselmann, U., Cottrell, A. M., Baranowski, A. P., & Engeler, D. S. (2022). Impaired ability to relax pelvic floor muscles in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The Journal of Urology, 208(1), 148–156. doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002560
Zivkovic, V., Lazovic, M., Vlajkovic, M., Slavkovic, A., Dimitrijevic, L., Stankovic, I., & Vacic, N. (2012). Diaphragmatic breathing exercises and pelvic floor retraining in children with dysfunctional voiding. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 48(3), 413–421. PMID: 22669134
Medical Disclaimer
This video is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individual assessment, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified health professional. Please seek individual advice from a qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist or your healthcare professional.
