What even is the “Pelvic Floor”

And maybe this is the first time you’re even hearing it! “Pelvic Floor” is most commonly understood in the pregnant and post-partum communities. However, all individuals should be well-versed about what the pelvic floor is, what can cause dysfunction, and some actionable tools for support!

Anatomy of the Pelvic Floor

Simply put, your pelvic floor involves all of the structures between your tailbone (coccyx) and pubic bone. Now, let’s break that down:

Bones:

• Pelvic bones: broken down into 3 bones - ilium, ischium, pubis

• Sacroiliac joints: bottom of the spine meets your pelvis (specifically, the ilium)

• Coccyx: tailbone! This is at the base of your sacrum

• Iliofemoral joint: Hip (femur) meets pelvis (ilium)

Muscles:

• Levator Ani: comprised of puborectalis, pubococcygeus, and coccygeus

• Diaphragm: Primary breathing muscle located below the ribs *more on this later

• Detrusor: muscle lining the bladder

• Obturator Internus: one of many muscles connecting femur (hip) to pelvis

Nerves:

• Pudendal: Innervates the majority of the perineal skin, the external anal sphincter, and the urethral sphincter

• Pelvic Splanchnic: Contribute to the autonomic innervation of the pelvic organs

Misc.:

• Urethra: tube urine flows from the bladder to be excreted

• Vagina (females): muscular canal between the urethra and anus

• Cervix: base of the uterus

• Prostate (males): Located below the bladder

• Anus: end of your large intestine for control of excretion of fecal matter

Functions of the Pelvic Floor

The main functions can be broken down into:

1. Stability

2. Sphincter activity

3. Sexual

4. Circulation

5. Support of pelvic organs

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

One or more of the symptoms below:

1. Prolapse - Pelvic organ prolapse, aka “POP”

2. Incontinence (aka - peeing your pants is NOT normal)

   1. Stress urinary

   2. Bowel

   3. Urge

3. Overactive bladder (OAB)

4. Pelvic pain

5. Coccydynia (tailbone pain)

6. Dyspareunia

7. Vulvodynia

8. Hemorrhoids

9. Anorgasmia

What can be at the Root of these issues?

(An absurdly condensed list):

1. Changes during pregnancy

2. Various labor/delivery

3. Biomechanical dysfunctions: scoliosis, T/L jxn restriction, SI joint dysfunction, intervertebral disc pathologies, etc.

4. Paradoxical breathing patterns

5. Constipation

6. Diarrhea

7. Infection

8. Chronic stress

9. Trauma/PTSD

10. Hormonal imbalnces

11. Inflammation

Where should I start?

• Breathing

  • NOT kegels

  • Watch this video for breathing basics

  • Watch this video for understanding sensation of breathing in to pelvic floor

• Nutrition

  • Anti-inflammatory diet!

    • Support the natural colors of veggies and fruit

    • Intake of adequate protein

    • Omega 3’s

  • Possible probiotic to support gut and vaginal microbiome

• Bring your questions and concerns to a professional! (see below!)

Mieke Haeck, PT & I are opening the floor (hehe get it..) to questions about pelvic floor, hormones, gut, rehabilitation, nutrition, and supplementation. The open house will be

Feb, 17th 9am-12pm at The Pelvic Shanti Boutique

301 S Allen St, Suite 1038

State College, PA