BASICS

 

Note: Be sure to sterilize your KR Curve before first use.

Every body is different, so we recommend you speak with your pelvic physiotherapist or doctor about the best approach to perineal massage for you. 

Once you get the all clear from your health-care providers, a five-minute session is all you’ll need to release tense or stressed pelvic floor muscles (but set aside 10 to 15 minutes at first until you get a routine down). 

If preparing for childbirth and past 35 weeks of pregnancy, you may want to work your way up from 5 minutes to 15 minutes or longer to mimic active labour.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR Perineal massage with the KR Curve

  1. Get comfy. Your pelvic floor (which includes your perineal muscles) is part of your core, so relaxing your upper body and abdominal muscles is going to make perineal massage a whole lot more comfortable. We recommend lying on your back in a semi-reclined position, with pillows supporting your upper body, and, if you like, a pillow under your knees. Or you can find a similar position in the bath.

  2. Apply lube. This is really important because it helps the KR Curve move easily against the perineal muscles. Use a lubricant your body is used to (any will work with the KR Curve), and apply it only to the end of the KR Curve that will be inserted.

  3. Gently insert the KR Curve into your vagina to just past the entrance—no further. Note: Massage of deeper vaginal muscles should only be done under the guidance of a pelvic physiotherapist to ensure you’re targeting the right muscles.

  4. Find tight spots that need massage. Think of your vaginal opening like a clock, with 12 o’clock pointing toward your front, and 6 o’clock to your back. The majority of the soft tissue is between just below 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, and those are the muscles that need to be released. Start just below 3 o’clock, and if the muscle is tight, release it (see step 5) before continuing to make your way around the clock. Note: Always start with a very gentle pressure—it should always be tolerable, not painful, like stretching any muscle in the body.

  5. Relax tight spots with light pressure. When a tight spot is identified, apply sustained pressure to help relax the muscle for about 20 to 40 seconds. Sustained pressure offers longer-lasting muscle relaxation than strokes.

Tips for using the KR Curve

Don’t forget to breathe! Deep, slow breaths will help your muscles relax. If you have any sensation of discomfort as you stretch your pelvic floor muscles, use a focused breathing technique, such as square breathing or alternate nostril breathing, to help relax the tissues. Bonus: This can sometimes help reset muscle memory.

Warm the KR Curve. We all know room temperature stainless steel is a little, well, jarring when inserted vaginally (sorry for the speculum flashbacks). One of the great things about stainless steel is it can be warmed for a more comfortable experience. Simply run the KR Curve under lukewarm tap water, and always be sure to test the temperature on the inside of your forearm or your inner thigh—you want it to feel soothingly warm, never hot. 

Chill the KR Curve for postpartum relief. Your lady parts go through a lot during childbirth, and the great thing about the KR Curve is you can pop it in the fridge to chill it for use as a cold pack to soothe soreness. (Be sure to put it in a sealed zip-top bag to protect it from bacteria in your fridge, and remove from the bag before use.) Use the KR Curve externally right away, and once you’re 6-8 weeks postpartum and have your doctor’s okay, you can begin to very gently use it for perineal stretching.

Never put the KR Curve in the freezer! Wet tissue will stick to frozen metal—like a tongue sticks to a metal pole in winter (ouch)—and using a frozen KR Curve can cause injury.