Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Safe core exercises after hysterectomy help you regain deep abdominal muscle control during recovery. Guided by Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Michelle Kenway, these gentle core exercises for Weeks 1–6 after abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic hysterectomy. You'll learn diaphragmatic breathing exercises and how to activate your deep abdominal muscles. Progressive core abdominal exercises then gently train your deep core muscles helping you regain control of your lower belly.
Timestamps: Safe Core Exercises After Hysterectomy
00:00 Introduction to Safe Core Exercises
00:07 Swelly Belly After a Hysterectomy
00:19 Why Core Recovery Matters for Women
00:46 When to Start Hysterectomy Recovery Exercises
01:59 Exercise 1: Diaphragmatic Breathing After Hysterectomy
04:23 Exercise 2: Deep Abdominal Activation
06:20 How to Find Your Lower Abdominal Muscles
06:58 Side-Lying Core Activation After Hysterectomy
08:00 How the Pelvic Floor and Deep Core Muscles Work Together
09:26 Exercise 3: Butterfly Core Exercise
11:06 Exercise 4: Bent-Knee Fallout for Deep Core Control
13:55 Pelvic Tilts for Relieving Lower Back and Pelvic Stiffness
14:25 Exercise 5: Heel Slides After Hysterectomy
16:33 Exercise 6: Heel Lift or Toe-Tap Progression
18:39 Bed Bridge Exercises to Relieve Lower Back and Buttock Tightness
18:58 Relaxation and Recovery Breathing
19:26 How Often to Do Hysterectomy
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists can provide you with individualized assessment and guidance for your core and pelvic floor exercises during hysterectomy recovery.
Medical 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 health physiotherapist or your healthcare professional.
#coreexercises #hysterectomyrecovery #pelvicfloorphysiotherapy
Safe core exercises after hysterectomy help you regain deep abdominal muscle control during recovery. Guided by Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Michelle Kenway, these gentle core exercises for Weeks 1–6 after abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic hysterectomy. You'll learn diaphragmatic breathing exercises and how to activate your deep abdominal muscles. Progressive core abdominal exercises then gently train your deep core muscles helping you regain control of your lower belly.
Timestamps: Safe Core Exercises After Hysterectomy
00:00 Introduction to Safe Core Exercises
00:07 Swelly Belly After a Hysterectomy
00:19 Why Core Recovery Matters for Women
00:46 When to Start Hysterectomy Recovery Exercises
01:59 Exercise 1: Diaphragmatic Breathing After Hysterectomy
04:23 Exercise 2: Deep Abdominal Activation
06:20 How to Find Your Lower Abdominal Muscles
06:58 Side-Lying Core Activation After Hysterectomy
08:00 How the Pelvic Floor and Deep Core Muscles Work Together
09:26 Exercise 3: Butterfly Core Exercise
11:06 Exercise 4: Bent-Knee Fallout for Deep Core Control
13:55 Pelvic Tilts for Relieving Lower Back and Pelvic Stiffness
14:25 Exercise 5: Heel Slides After Hysterectomy
16:33 Exercise 6: Heel Lift or Toe-Tap Progression
18:39 Bed Bridge Exercises to Relieve Lower Back and Buttock Tightness
18:58 Relaxation and Recovery Breathing
19:26 How Often to Do Hysterectomy
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists can provide you with individualized assessment and guidance for your core and pelvic floor exercises during hysterectomy recovery.
Medical 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 health physiotherapist or your healthcare professional.
#coreexercises #hysterectomyrecovery #pelvicfloorphysiotherapy
