Do you have pain in your lower back, pelvic, or genital region? Do you have a bowel or bladder disorder? Do you suffer from leaking or dribbling, fecal incontinence, constipation, or incomplete emptying? Do you have sexual dysfunction associated with pain and discomfort, difficulty with penetration, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty achieving orgasm? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you may have an imbalance in your PELVIC FLOOR.
I bet you're wondering, what is the PELVIC FLOOR? Where is it? Why does it matter? How does it affect these issues?
The pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles that lay at the base of the pelvis. These muscles span from hip to hip and from the pubic bone all the way back to the tailbone.
Our inner core is composed of the pelvic floor, diaphragm, multifidus, and transversus abdominis muscles. The pelvic floor muscles are an integral part of our deep core system. They provide postural stability, give support to our internal organs, control bowel and bladder, and allow for sexual appreciation. The pelvic floor muscles and our diaphragm are intricately connected. Together they create a system of balanced pressure in the abdominal cavity playing an important role in breathing. In addition, this group of muscles has the ability to anticipate movement of our arms and legs in order to stabilize our center before we move our limbs.
Promoting a healthy pelvic floor should be a TOP priority for our personal health and wellness. A balanced pelvic floor foundation allows our body to function most effectively and efficiently. In order to create this balance we need to consider 3 factors:
1. Posture
2. A neutral pelvic position.
3. Maintaining an optimal length- tension relationship of these muscles
Now that you know the basics, I'd love for you to join me in my next blog as we explore the 3 MOST important components of achieving a healthy pelvic floor.