Understanding the Pelvic Floor: A Key to Better Health
The term “pelvic floor” is frequently used yet many people do not have a clear understanding of its role or significance. It is an essential component of literally every movement we perform throughout our daily lives.
The pelvic floor consists of multiple muscles which form a sling or hammock in the bottom of the pelvis. Its primary function is to provide support for the pelvic organs but is also vital for bowel, bladder and sexual functions. Like any muscle group in the body, the pelvic floor can become dysfunctional and lead to weakness and/or tightness. When this occurs, individuals may experience symptoms such as pain or difficulty with normal bowel and bladder control.
While these symptoms can be embarrassing to talk about, know you are not alone and there are treatments that can help to alleviate your concerns. The first step is to identify the root issue of these symptoms. Many times when we have bowel or bladder dysfunction we tend to want to blame the pelvic floor. However, it is essential to consider other factors at play. For example, if you had flooding in your basement, is there a possibility the leak is coming from something happening on the upper levels? Absolutely! If we focus only on the basement we could be overlooking the real issue.
The pelvic floor does not function in isolation; it relies on coordination with the respiratory diaphragm and the deepest layer of abdominal and spinal muscles. If these supporting muscles are not functioning optimally, it can place strain on the pelvic floor making it work harder and less efficiently.
The role of a pelvic health physical therapist (PT) is to assess the entire system to identify areas of weakness and restore proper mechanics. Once the system is functioning more harmoniously you will likely notice improvements in strength, power and endurance.
If you are experiencing any type of pelvic floor symptoms we encourage you to reach out. We are here to help you on your journey to improving health and confidence. Schedule a discovery call today!
