Pelvic floor dysfunction and hip pain typically go hand in hand while most clinicians and the general public look at them as 2 separate issues. It affects mobility, comfort, and overall well-being. The role of posture in pelvic floor dysfunction is often undermined, however, we can’t deny the alignment and stability of the pelvis and hips and the role it plays in pelvic floor dysfunction. In this blog post, I will explore the connection between pelvic floor dysfunction, hip pain, and posture, and discuss strategies to improve posture to address pelvic floor dysfunction.
What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
The pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that provide support to the organs in the pelvic region. This includes the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles become weak, tight, or imbalanced, leading to a range of symptoms. The ‘stereotypical’ causes of pelvic floor dysfunction include:
- Childbirth
- Hormonal changes
- Chronic constipation
- Obesity
But what is constantly being missed is the fact that our sedentary lifestyle is leading everyone down the path of pelvic floor dysfunction. It involves men and children which were typically EXCLUDED in the past. In my blog, “What is pelvic floor dysfunction’, you will find a more detailed explanation.
What is the Relationship Between Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Hip pain?
The pelvis and hips are interconnected structures. Any imbalance or dysfunction in the pelvis can have a direct impact on hip health. When the pelvic floor muscles are tight or weak, they can cause an imbalance in the pelvic position. Which will cause increased stress on the hips. This can result in hip pain, decreased range of motion, and difficulty in performing daily activities such as walking or sitting. You can learn detailed information on the anatomy of the pelvis and pelvic floor in my blog.
What is the Role of Posture in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Hip Pain
Posture plays a huge role in maintaining the proper alignment of the pelvis and hips. With slouching or excessive arching of the lower back, the balance of the pelvic floor muscles is compromised which leads to pelvic floor dysfunction. If pelvic floor dysfunction was the name of a book, it would have many chapters. Hip pain is one of them while most people think incontinence, pain during intercourse, erectile dysfunction, or prolapse are the only chapters.
Thanks to the internet, people are becoming more educated on the different phases of pelvic floor dysfunction and seek proper help sooner than later!
How Do I Improve Posture and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Correcting and maintaining good posture can help with the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and hip pain. The detailed holistic treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction is outlined in my blog: “Are Yoga Exercises Good For Pelvic Floor Dysfunction’.
Awareness:
Pay attention to your posture throughout the day, especially during activities that involve prolonged sitting or standing. It is best to associate activities with the ‘awareness’ exercise. For instance, every time you face a counter, pay attention to the pelvis positioning. Focus on the bottom of your feet. Are you balanced over the feet equally? Is your neck forward or not? Over time, you will start noticing the positive changes. You can learn about these tips on my IG page, @irvinespine.
Ergonomics:
Perhaps the least referred to checklist when it comes to pelvic floor dysfunction and hip pain is ergonomics. Here is the checklist I expect my patients to use. Once corrections are made, they send me a picture of themselves behind their devices.
Exercise and Stretching:
There is no shortage of exercises and stretching for hips and pelvic floor dysfunction. But what makes sense is to NOT isolate any areas to try to stretch or strengthen. After all, our body parts don’t operate in isolation. Why do we stretch/strengthen the back and hips when they need to operate in harmony with the rest of the body?
The only exercises that make sense are what all babies do! Going from the helpless infant stage to the running toddler stage. If they can get there without any bands, weights, and straps, without being coached, then we must be programmed to follow the same patterns of movement and development. This is what Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization is all about and how we help patients with pelvic floor dysfunction and hip pain.
If you have pelvic floor dysfunction and hip pain and are not happy with the results you are getting, contact me.
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