What your pelvic floor is in charge of ( 5 functions of the pelvic floor)

As a trainer, I like to raise awareness about the pelvic floor muscles and incorporate exercises that train these muscles into my fitness training programs. Many of my pre/postnatal clients are experiencing leaking when they exercise, Diastasis Recti, prolapse, high levels of stress and many more conditions that come up during the pre/postnatal season.

Although I don’t treat these conditions directly (that’s where a pelvic floor physical therapist comes in), I help by providing tools that assist in being able to continue exercising in a safe way. I believe that learning the different roles the pelvic floor plays can be helpful so that you too can be more in-tune with your body and be able to identify any symptoms early on.

Here are some functions of the pelvic floor:

1️⃣ Good bladder and bowel control is dependent on how well your PF functions. It helps you hold in your pee and poo and allows you to let it go when you need to. Symptoms that you want to look out for are leaks when you cough, sneeze or exercise, the sudden urge to pee frequently, and involuntary loss of urine.
2️⃣Supports your internal organs, meaning that they help keep internal organs inside of your body to avoid symptoms of prolapse. Some symptoms of prolapse can be described as heaviness or pressure in the pelvic area, painful intercourse or a feeling that something is falling out of the vagina.
3️⃣Part of your deep stabilizing system (core) along with your diaphragm, transverse abdominus and multifidus. They respond to the load placed upon them.
4️⃣Responds to changes in intra-abdominal pressure. When we breathe there is a natural pattern to how the pelvic floor contracts and relaxes. Breathing and activating the diaphragm become key to distributing IAP more evenly and decrease pressure in the PF. Reducing pressure in the pelvic floor is helpful when working with a prolapse.
5️⃣Affected by pain emotion. Think about a moment where you were stressed or scared. Did your body tense up? Your jaw? Your neck? Your abdomen? Then your pelvic floor did as well. It’s important to be aware and let your pelvic floor go. Shake your bootie, do a little twerking (I’m serious!) or focus on big inhales to relax the muscles the next time you experience a big emotion.
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🌻Did you know this about your pelvic floor?
🌻What function of the pelvic floor are you most surprised by?

Do you recognize some of these symptoms in yourself? Look for a pelvic floor physical therapist near you. Click Here.
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