Understanding and Supporting Your Pelvic Floor – Beyond Physical Health

Pelvic health physiotherapy goes beyond simple exercises or treatment plans; it’s about creating awareness, building resilience, and understanding the complexity of our bodies.

So, let’s delve a little deeper into what makes pelvic health so essential, from anatomy to the emotional connection.

A Closer Look at Pelvic Anatomy

Imagine your pelvis: two hip bones, a pubic symphysis at the front, and a sacrum at the back, all connected to the spine. Within this structure is your pelvic floor—a sling of muscles supporting organs, enabling continence, and helping you move. It’s as fundamental as any other muscle group in your body. In many cases, pelvic health treatment involves not just the internal muscles, but also working with areas like the hips, spine, and even quadriceps to ensure a balanced, functional support system.

Pelvic health physiotherapy doesn’t mean internal treatment for everyone. Instead, it’s about treating the entire core and understanding how muscles and joints interact with the pelvic floor. For some, this might involve specific exercises; for others, it’s about understanding movement and developing supportive habits.

Emotional Impact on Pelvic Health

Did you know your pelvic floor is also linked to your emotions? Many people talk about carrying stress in their shoulders, but the pelvic floor reacts to stress too. A fascinating study once showed that women’s pelvic muscles tightened in response to visual stimuli. Stress, whether from day-to-day pressures or larger emotional experiences, impacts the pelvic floor. If we’re under constant stress, it’s natural for these muscles to react and tighten, leading to pain or dysfunction.

As humans, we may not face saber-toothed tigers anymore, but modern stressors like work deadlines or family obligations can impact our health. Learning to recognize the role emotions play in pelvic health can help us find relief. By incorporating stress management techniques, patients can improve not only their pelvic health but also their overall well-being.

Visualizing Your Pelvic Floor

Take a moment to connect with your body. Imagine your right big toe—think of the last time you stubbed it or noticed it. Now, with that same focus, try visualizing your pelvic floor. Picture the bones you’re sitting on, the pubic symphysis at the front, and the tailbone at the back. This level of awareness helps us connect mentally and physically with our pelvic health.

Moving Forward: Breaking the Taboo

It’s time to make pelvic health a normal, everyday part of healthcare. The more we understand and openly discuss it, the easier it will be to manage and improve our well-being. Remember, everyone has a pelvic floor, and addressing it with the same openness as any other part of our body can only lead to healthier, happier lives.

By recognizing the complexities of pelvic health—from physical structure to emotional impact—we can start supporting ourselves and others in a more holistic, informed way.

Nicola Robertson

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist