The word stoma is a Greek word meaning an opening, a fissure, a hole that does not have a muscle to close it. This opening is surgically created in the abdominal wall to drain contents from the small and large intestine or urinary system. The opening is closed with a device that allows the odourless retention of excreta. We feel it is necessary to write about this taboo subject, as the Kriston Method has improved the quality of life of numerous people that are affected. Many patients are instructed by their doctor to do the Kriston Intimate Training as a self-rehabilitation exercise before reconstructive operations.

Reasons for needing a stoma can be inflammation, adhesions, tumours, organ removal, endometriosis. A stoma can be temporary, merely to aid the healing process, or it can be a permanent solution, which means a very serious life change. It can also affect the physical and psychological well-being of patients and their families, as well as their relationships.

In order to ensure that people do not experience the presence of a stoma and the associated tasks and feelings as traumatic, it is important to provide them with detailed information on practical ways to manage their lives. Also, professionals have found that acquiring the Kriston Intimate Training in individual or group courses is particularly useful. It is recommended before surgery, if possible, or when the healing phase is complete and movement is no longer painful.

The Kriston Intimate Training quickly helps rehabilitate the muscles and organs of the lower abdomen. It reduces the chance of adhesions, improves bowel peristalsis, reduces tendencies to inflammation and it can increase libido and sexual drive. Doing the gymnastics daily increases control over bodily processes, which has a positive impact on self-esteem, improves relationships and provides significant emotional support for the coming phases of life.

The ability to master the Kriston Intimate Training depends to a large extent on previous conditions, the nature of the intervention, the resulting anatomical condition and the willingness to cooperate. In certain mental states, it is necessary to consider whether the person is able to learn the tasks and understand the instructions. This is the determining factor whether they are able to participate in a group training or whether individual therapy is recommended. To this end, it is worth seeking advice from your chosen trainer.

During a Kriston training session, you will learn exercises that improve the tone of your pelvic floor muscles, the function of your sphincters and the supporting muscles of your abdominal organs. The exercises will also help your abdominal organs to function, which will have an effect on the regeneration of your organs. We will develop habits that will protect the organs in these altered conditions. With these body-protecting habits, you can improve your quality of life by preventing the development of such symptoms that can result from bad habits.

When it is time to eliminate the intermittent stoma, it is then recommended to learn the Kriston Intimate Training before the surgery, by performing personalised exercises regularly to develop or preserve the ability of the sphincter muscles. It will significantly impact your condition if, by closing the opening, you can not only return urine and faeces to their original place, but also sense and control them. Some doctors will only undertake reconstructive surgery after this, as it is very important for the quality of life of their patients that the sphincter function is under control after surgery. In women, having a baby is also possible if there are no contraindications. The Kriston Intimate Training also supports you to make new choices for the rest of your life, while knowing health preserving scripts. You can also take the Kriston course with a stoma, which will lead to a significant life improvement. You can gain such self-helping skills that you can immediately put to work for yourself. Only You can take the opportunity to practise. No one and no machine can do it for you. Sometimes the idea of electrostimulation comes up, but can we be tied to a machine for the rest of our lives? Also, the Kriston Intimate Training provides more efficient movements than a machine because in the latter the cortical functions, the conscious, "I am in control" experiences of the movement do not happen. A personalised movement sequence has significantly more impact than ‘machine gymnastics'. Electrostimulation only has a validity if the client is not capable of consciously generated movements. A common question about conscious exercise is what happens if you do not perceive the correct movement. When teaching the exercises, your body awareness inevitably intensifies. Experiencing and going through the 300 interdependent elements support you to feel absolutely certain of the correct movement and the stoma should not be an obstacle to this.

The more you know, the better the chances

With a stoma you can play sports, keep moving and live a full life. Regular walking, jogging, hiking, swimming are recommended, but you can also go skiing or play tennis if you feel like it. Sexuality is also one of the basic needs that can give you energy, it would be a shame to neglect it. Initially, you will need to take time to recover, but after that you can have a sex life. Your partner can help you with effective communication and empathy, thus improving your damaged self-esteem.

Having a ‘guest orifice’ also requires the use of stoma closure devices. Requirements for the devices: they must provide 24-hour security, prevent odours from escaping, be lightweight and not obtrusive, they must not impede movement or sex life, and be easy to put on and take off. They should be economical, easily accessible, easy to use. Special hygiene helps to avoid complications. Even if you have a stoma, you don't have to live behind closed doors. There are countless opportunities available to you if you recognise what is right for you and take action to make it happen. This way you can avoid being trapped behind those doors.