The pelvic floor is very much misunderstood and the subject of pelvic floor health and strength presents many questions. The good news is, we have the answers! If the pelvis is a ‘house’, the pelvic floor is the ‘floor’ and it makes no sense to think of just the floor when the stability, strength, and integrity of the house are questionable. This is the number one reason for many unsuccessful treatments and the rise in pelvic floor dysfunction.
Why Is The Pelvic Floor Important?
The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in maintaining proper posture. Pelvic floor muscles work with other core muscles and the lower back to support the spine and maintain proper alignment. Think of the pelvis as the base of the trunk, because that’s what it is. Now, you can imagine how the stability of the torso and the internal organs it holds are directly related to the stability of the body.
Let’s explore the impact of the pelvic floor on the lower back! Weak pelvic floor muscles can accentuate the lower back curve, leading to poor posture and back pain. On the other hand, strong pelvic floor muscles can help maintain proper alignment, reducing the risk of back pain and other musculoskeletal issues.
Good posture is necessary for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, from the commonly known symptoms such as urinary incontinence and prolapse to the not-so-subtle symptoms that are discussed in my blog: ‘Subtle Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction’. With proper posture, the amount of pressure placed on the pelvic floor muscles is balanced because our breathing becomes more in tune with the biological breathing, the way we breathed automatically as babies.
Where To Start For A More Stable Pelvic Floor?
In order to obtain and maintain proper grounds for a stronger posture, more stable pelvis, and stronger pelvic floor we need to make sure we are able to duplicate what we had in infancy. I’m referring to how we built the strength and movements that allowed us to go from helpless infants to running toddlers.
Breathing biologically is the key and it is not as simple as it sounds!! We are accustomed to so many variations of breathing. While they may have their own value, they are not a replacement for foundational breathing.
The ability to have a neutral spine is important because in neutral is the only time our voluntary muscles are able to rest. To practice a neutral spine, try this:
Following the principles and progression of movements learned by studying children (Developmental Kinesiology), we can see where the weaknesses in our movements lie. It is through repetition of those moves, without compromising the principles of movement, that we are able to bring stability back to our pelvis.
If you have any questions, want to strengthen your pelvis, or need help with pelvic floor dysfunction don’t hesitate to contact me.
Dr. Shakib
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