https://www.auberginephysio.co.uk/

Aubergine Physio, Aubergine Physio, The Front Basement, 4 Imperial Square, Cheltenham (2026)

04/09/2026

What actually happens during a radical prostatectomy? 🍆

If you’re preparing for prostate cancer surgery, understanding the anatomy can make what happens afterwards make a lot more sense.

During a radical prostatectomy, the entire prostate gland is removed, usually along with the seminal vesicles.

But the prostate doesn’t sit in isolation.

It sits directly beneath the bladder, with the urethra running through it. So when the prostate is removed:

👉 The urethra is divided.
👉 The prostate is removed.
👉 The bladder neck is then reconnected to the remaining urethra — called a vesicourethral anastomosis.
👉 A catheter is temporarily left in place while this new connection heals.

And then there are the nerves.

The neurovascular bundles responsible for erectile function run extremely close to the prostate. Where it is oncologically safe, surgeons may perform nerve-sparing surgery — preserving one or both bundles.

But even when the nerves are preserved, they can be stretched, bruised or temporarily affected by surgery.

This helps explain why two of the biggest challenges after prostatectomy can be:

💧 Urinary incontinence
🍆 Changes in erectile function

It’s also why rehabilitation isn’t an optional afterthought.

Understanding what has physically changed allows us to rehabilitate the pelvic floor, bladder function, erections, strength and confidence progressively after surgery.

Next, we’ll look at what to expect in those first few days with the catheter in place.

03/09/2026

Anterior pelvic floor: the continence muscles men need to find 👇🏼

Before prostate surgery, one of the most important things we teach is how to correctly find and activate the anterior pelvic floor … the part of the pelvic floor particularly important for urinary continence.

And sometimes clinical anatomy needs a slightly less clinical cue. 😏

At Aubergine Physio, you might hear us say:

🍒 “Nuts to guts”
⬆️ “Testicles into tummy”
🥜 “Balls to belly”
🤐 Or imagine zipping up from your p***c bone towards your belly button.

Whichever cue works for you, we’re looking for a subtle lift and draw-up at the front of the pelvic floor, not a huge squeeze of your glutes, thighs or abdominals.

Why does this matter before prostatectomy?

Because after the prostate is removed, the continence system has to adapt. Learning to identify, activate and coordinate these muscles before surgery gives you the opportunity to practise the correct movement while everything is still intact.

And pelvic-floor rehabilitation isn’t simply about doing hundreds of “Kegels”.

It’s about finding the right muscles, learning how to recruit them effectively, and then building the strength, endurance and functional control you’ll need after surgery.

Find it first. Then train it. Then learn to use it when it matters.

🍆 Aubergine Physio | Specialist Men’s Health Physiotherapy

PelvicFloor PelvicFloorPhysio MalePelvicHealth ProstateCancerRecovery UrinaryIncontinence

02/09/2026

POV: You’ve been doing Kegels for pelvic pain… and discover they may be the opposite of what you need. 🍆

Pelvic floor exercises are often prescribed as though every pelvic floor problem comes from weakness.

It doesn’t.

If your pelvic floor is already overactive, tense or struggling to relax, repeatedly contracting it can potentially increase symptoms rather than resolve them.

An overactive male pelvic floor can contribute to:

→ Pelvic or perineal pain
→ Urinary urgency and frequency
→ Difficulty starting or fully emptying your bladder
→ Pain during or after ej*******on
→ Erectile difficulties
→ Constipation
→ Persistent tension or pressure through the pelvis

And this is why we assess before we strengthen.

Sometimes your pelvic floor needs strengthening.

Sometimes it needs down-training, breathing, mobility and learning how to fully let go.

And sometimes it needs both.

A healthy pelvic floor isn’t simply a strong pelvic floor.

It’s one that knows when to switch ON — and when to switch OFF.

🍆 Aubergine Physio
Specialist Men’s Health Physiotherapy
📍 Cheltenham & Bicester

ChronicPelvicPain

01/09/2026

Your pelvic floor isn’t just “Kegels” … learning the brain–muscle connection BEFORE prostatectomy 🍆

Before a radical prostatectomy, pelvic-floor training isn’t simply about doing as many “Kegels” as possible.

First, we need to establish the brain–muscle connection.

Can you actually find your pelvic floor?

Can you contract the right muscles?

Can you feel the difference between contracting and relaxing?

Can you activate it without gripping your glutes, holding your breath or unnecessarily bracing everything else?

This matters because after prostatectomy, the anatomy responsible for urinary continence changes, and your external urinary sphincter and pelvic-floor system become particularly important to continence recovery.

Before surgery, we want that connection already established.

We work on:

✔️ Correct pelvic-floor identification and technique
✔️ Coordinated contraction AND relaxation
✔️ Endurance with controlled, submaximal holds
✔️ Faster contractions for sudden increases in pressure
✔️ Functional activation before coughing, standing, lifting and movement
✔️ Understanding exactly how to restart rehabilitation after surgery and catheter removal

Think of it as prehab for your continence system.

Surgery is not the ideal time to start learning where your pelvic floor is.

Learn the movement before prostatectomy — so when it’s time to rehabilitate afterwards, your brain already knows the pathway.

🍆 Aubergine Physio | Specialist Men’s Health Physiotherapy

31/08/2026

Why pelvic-floor rehab should start BEFORE prostatectomy 🍆

Pelvic-floor rehabilitation shouldn’t begin once the catheter comes out.

Ideally, it starts before surgery.

Radical prostatectomy changes the anatomy involved in urinary continence. After surgery, your pelvic-floor muscles have an even greater role to play — so learning how to recruit them correctly before that happens can give you a head start.

Pre-operative pelvic-floor physiotherapy can help you:

✔️ Identify the correct pelvic-floor muscles
✔️ Learn how to contract them properly — without simply squeezing your glutes or holding your breath
✔️ Build the brain–muscle connection before surgery
✔️ Develop both endurance and faster, stronger contractions
✔️ Learn how to use your pelvic floor during coughing, standing, lifting and movement
✔️ Understand what to expect after catheter removal
✔️ Go into surgery with a rehabilitation plan already in place

And importantly: pelvic-floor training isn’t just “do your Kegels.”

Technique matters. Timing matters. Dosage matters.

You wouldn’t wait until after major knee surgery to learn how to activate your quadriceps.

Your pelvic floor deserves the same preparation.

If you’re scheduled for a radical prostatectomy, the best time to start preparing for your recovery is before your operation.

🍆 Aubergine Physio | Specialist Men’s Health Physiotherapy

30/08/2026

I wish more men knew that doing more Kegels isn’t always the answer. 🍆

Pelvic floor muscles need to be able to contract AND relax.

If your pelvic floor is already overactive or holding too much resting tension, repeatedly squeezing it without addressing relaxation, coordination and breathing can potentially make symptoms worse.

An overactive pelvic floor can be associated with:

→ Pelvic or perineal pain
→ Urinary urgency or frequency
→ Difficulty starting or fully emptying the bladder
→ Pain with ej*******on
→ Erectile or sexual dysfunction
→ Constipation or difficulty emptying the bowel
→ A feeling of tension, pressure or discomfort through the pelvis

The goal isn’t simply a stronger pelvic floor.

It’s a pelvic floor that can generate force when you need it, relax when you don’t, and coordinate properly with your diaphragm, abdominals and the rest of your body.

Sometimes we strengthen.

Sometimes we down-train.

Often, we need to do both.

Stop prescribing every man “more Kegels.” Assess the pelvic floor first.

🍆 Aubergine Physio | Specialist Men’s Health Physiotherapy
📍 Cheltenham & Bicester

29/08/2026

Why pelvic-floor rehab should start BEFORE prostatectomy 🍆

Pelvic-floor rehabilitation shouldn’t begin once the catheter comes out.

Ideally, it starts before surgery.

Radical prostatectomy changes the anatomy involved in urinary continence. After surgery, your pelvic-floor muscles have an even greater role to play, so learning how to recruit them correctly before that happens can give you a head start.

Pre-operative pelvic-floor physiotherapy can help you:

✔️ Identify the correct pelvic-floor muscles
✔️ Learn how to contract them properly, without simply squeezing your glutes or holding your breath
✔️ Build the brain–muscle connection before surgery
✔️ Develop both endurance and faster, stronger contractions
✔️ Learn how to use your pelvic floor during coughing, standing, lifting and movement
✔️ Understand what to expect after catheter removal
✔️ Go into surgery with a rehabilitation plan already in place

And importantly: pelvic-floor training isn’t just “do your Kegels.”

Technique matters. Timing matters. Dosage matters.

You wouldn’t wait until after major knee surgery to learn how to activate your quadriceps.

Your pelvic floor deserves the same preparation.

If you’re scheduled for a radical prostatectomy, the best time to start preparing for your recovery is before your operation.

🍆 Aubergine Physio | Specialist Men’s Health Physiotherapy

29/08/2026

SAUNA & ED:

You stopped thinking of the sauna as just “relaxation” and started seeing it as a tool for cardiovascular health.

That shift changes everything.

I’m not using the sauna just to unwind anymore.

I’m using it to support blood vessel function.

Improve circulation.

Train my cardiovascular system to tolerate heat stress.

Support heart health.

And potentially improve erectile function by enhancing endothelial (blood vessel lining) health.

Because here’s what the evidence shows:

Regular sauna use has been associated with improved vascular function, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Large population studies (like those from Finland) have even linked frequent sauna bathing with reduced risk of heart attack and stroke.

Why does this matter for ED?

Er3ctile dysfunction is often an early sign of vascular dysfunction. Healthy er3ctions depend on healthy blood flow and that depends on the endothelium working well.

Heat exposure from sauna use increases heart rate, improves circulation, and may enhance nitric oxide activity, which is essential for blood vessel dilation.

In other words:
What’s good for the heart is often good for er3ctile function.

In midlife, recovery and health aren’t just about exercise anymore.

They’re about how you support your cardiovascular system every day.

Don’t just relax. Recover with purpose. Support your vessels. Support your future health.

’sHealth

28/08/2026

PROSTATE CANCER PREHAB 🍆

You’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Surgery is booked.

So now you wait… right?

No. This is when rehabilitation can begin.

If you’re having a radical prostatectomy, the weeks before surgery are an opportunity to prepare your body and your brain for what comes afterwards.

Before surgery, we can start working on:

→ Finding your pelvic floor before you need it

→ Building the brain–muscle connection for active pelvic floor control

→ Learning both endurance and faster, stronger contractions

→ Practising pelvic floor activation during coughing, lifting and movement

→ Understanding what to expect from your bladder after catheter removal

→ Preparing for temporary urinary leakage

→ Maintaining strength, cardiovascular fitness and general conditioning

→ Discussing pe**le and erectile rehabilitation before erectile function changes

→ Understanding possible changes to erections and pe**le length after surgery

→ Creating a plan for your return to walking, exercise, work and normal life

Because the first time you try to find your pelvic floor shouldn’t have to be after surgery, with a catheter just removed and a pad in your underwear.

Prehab gives you time to learn.

To practise.

And to go into surgery knowing there is already a rehabilitation plan waiting for you on the other side.

Prostate cancer rehabilitation can start before treatment does.

Over September, we’re taking you through the entire recovery journey, from diagnosis and prehab to continence, strength, pe**le rehabilitation and erectile recovery.

Save this series. And send it to a man who may need it. 🍆

📍 Aubergine Physio | Cheltenham & Bicester

Aubergine Physio

04/09/2026

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02/09/2026

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