How Does the Pelvic Floor Work: What You Should Know

The pelvic floor is an often overlooked part of the body. However, it is the key part of the body that provides stability and balance in your life. If it becomes weak, various parts of your body can become impacted. That is why it’s important to learn about what the pelvic floor does and how to protect it.

The pelvic floor has various functions, some of which you may be surprised to learn about. In order to properly care for your pelvis, you need to understand how it is connected to the rest of your body. The pelvis is a magnificent thing!

What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is located at the bottom of the abdomen. It attaches to the pelvis, which is located between your hip bones. The pelvic floor holds up your trunk in addition to connecting with your legs. This is the prime support of your body structure.

Things to Know About the Pelvic Floor

Approximately 25% of women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. Therefore, it’s crucial to learn about the pelvic floor so that you can notice the signs if something feels wrong.

Supports and Protects Organs

The pelvic floor has many responsibilities. One of those responsibilities includes supporting and protecting the organs. The organs that rely on the pelvic floor include the bladder, uterus, bowels, rectum, anus, and urethra.

All of these organs play important roles in your body. Therefore, the pelvic floor needs to be at an optimal functioning level in order to protect your body.

Provides Stability

The pelvic floor provides stability to your entire body. It is responsible for your posture and keeping your trunk upright. It stabilizes your pelvis and your spine.

Promotes Body Function

Body function, including urinating, bowel movements, and sexual function, are all dependent on the pelvic floor. The muscles in this area control the opening and closing of these muscles and ligaments. Without this coordination, our bodies couldn’t perform correctly.

How to Protect Your Pelvic Floor

Now that you know how important your pelvic floor is in context to the rest of your body, you can now take steps to protect it. Learn how you can help keep your pelvic area safe and healthy.

Pelvic Floor Therapy

The top way you can protect your pelvic floor is by engaging in pelvic floor therapy. A pelvic floor therapist can help assess for any dysfunction. In addition, a therapist can help prevent dysfunction, such as in women who are pregnant.

Pelvic floor therapy teaches you about your body and how to strengthen your pelvic floor. This is essential to protecting this area of the body. Make pelvic floor therapy part of your healthcare routine.

Pillar Physio - Georgetown, Texas is a top choice in pelvic floor therapy. Our unique and individualized approach to treatment has proven time and time again to provide the best relief to women in our community. Let us be part of your pelvic floor journey and contact us today.

Exercise

Regular exercise promotes a healthy pelvic floor. Exercise helps with weight management, which directly impacts the pelvic floor. In addition, exercise keeps the pelvic area strong and flexible.

Engaging in exercises like yoga can help engage your core, which is a major piece of the pelvic floor, while also enhancing posture and stability. All of this adds up to a body that is free from pain. Use different exercises to keep your pelvic floor healthy and ready for optimal function.

Avoid Heavy Lifting

Heavy lifting can bring significant damage to your pelvic floor. It is important to avoid heavy lifting in order to protect your pelvic floor and all of the organs housed within it.

If you lift something heavy indirectly, this can cause intra-abdominal pressure. Think of it as a balloon trying to pop on the inside of your body; it has nowhere to go, so all of the pressure is being forced downward to your pelvis. With no relief, this pressure will continue to weaken those muscles on the pelvic floor.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration helps the ligaments and muscles in your pelvic floor. If you become dehydrated, these muscles and ligaments can become stiff and unable to slide against each other. This can cause pain in your body and could alter the way your pelvic floor functions.

Start your day with a large glass of water to rehydrate your body following hours of sleep. Continue drinking water throughout the day to ensure proper hydration is met. In addition, consider adding in electrolytes for more vitamins and minerals needed for hydration.

The Pelvic Floor is the Key

Could you imagine your body without the pelvic floor? Neither can we! That’s why at Pillar Pysio – Georgetown, Texas, we are committed to helping women in our community live a life that is free from pelvic pain and dysfunction.

Our caring team of pelvic floor therapists is ready to help you live your best life because your family and community need you. We offer personalized treatment plans because your pelvic floor is unique. In addition, we use a whole-body approach because you are more than just your pelvis. Contact us today to schedule your assessment. A healthy pelvic floor is just one call away.