Partner Spolight: What Is the Pelvic Floor, Really? A Beginner’s Guide
You’ve probably heard the term pelvic floor thrown around, at your doctor’s office, in fitness classes, or whispered between friends after childbirth. But what is it, exactly? A mysterious muscle? A secret core superpower? The truth is, your pelvic floor plays a starring role in how your body moves, supports, and functions every single day. Our pelvic floor function affects us throughout our lifetime (both men and women!), not just during pregnancy. Let’s break it down:
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that forms a supportive hammock at the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles stretch from the pubic bone in the front, to the tail bone in the back, and from one sitting bone to the other. Think of it as the foundation of your core. These muscles function for stability, sexual, and bowel/bladder function.
Why does it matter?
Your pelvic floor works 24/7 to help:
Bowel and bladder control
Supporting your internal organs (like your bladder, uterus, and rectum)
Sexual and reproductive function
Stability for the spine and hips
Lymphatic flow
Signs your pelvic floor might need some love:
- Urine leakage with sneezing, coughing, jumping, running, etc.
- Urgency leakage- not able to make it to the toilet in time?
- Pressure, bulging, or heaviness in your pelvis
- Pain with sex (or pelvic exam, tampon use)
- Constipation or incomplete emptying?
- Hip, back, or tailbone pain that won’t go away?
How the pelvic floor works:
The pelvic floor muscles need to be able to contract and relax. Think of the pelvic floor like a trampoline- the muscles need to be able to stretch and recoil for optimal function. It’s not just about creating tension and doing kegels 24/7- in fact, often it’s the opposite! The pelvic floor muscles co-contract with muscles in the core, like your deep abdominals and your diaphragm. Getting everything working together is key for feeling and moving your best!
What is pelvic floor therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy focused on assessing and treating the muscles, nerves, and connective tissues of the pelvic floor. It’s so much more than just Kegels! A pelvic floor therapist helps you:
- Identify tension or weakness in the pelvic floor
- Understand how your body is working together, including the hips, abdominal muscles, diaphragm, etc.
- Improve coordination so your pelvic floor muscles work when they should, and relax when they should!
- Address pain, leakage, or pressure symptoms
- Learn safe, effective exercises to support your core, hips, and spine
- Regain confidence in movement, sex, and daily life
Pelvic floor therapy is always tailored to you. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach!
Can pelvic floor therapy help during pregnancy - even without symptoms?
Yes, pelvic floor therapy can be incredibly helpful during pregnancy, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. Pregnancy naturally increases the demand on your pelvic floor due to weight gain, hormonal changes, and shifts in posture. These changes affect everyone, and therapy can help prevent common issues such as incontinence, prolapse, or pelvic pain before they begin. Pelvic floor therapy is not just about strengthening; it also focuses on learning how to relax and coordinate your muscles. This is especially important for labor and delivery, when muscle tension or lack of control can lead to complications or tearing.
Working with a pelvic floor physical therapist during pregnancy can:
Prepare your body for labor and delivery
Improve posture and core support
Teach pushing and breathing techniques
Support a smoother postpartum recovery
Even if you are feeling great, therapy provides tools to maintain your health throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery. Caring for your pelvic floor is more than treatment. It is a proactive way to support your body through every stage of this journey.
Lexi Meister is a pelvic floor physical therapist who runs Columbus Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. She holds her board certification in women’s health and is acknowledged as a pelvic health specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association. Her passion is to teach men and women about their bodies so that they feel empowered when it comes to their health and physical fitness. If you’d like to work with her, you can reach her through her website 614pelvicfloor.com where you can sign up for a free phone consultation! If you are pregnant and interested in keeping your pelvic floor healthy and prepared for labor and delivery, Lexi has an online course available for at-home, self-paced learning!
https://614pelvicfloor.thinkific.com/products/courses/empoweredpregnancy
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Website: 614pelvicfloor.com
