The pelvic floor is a group of muscles (3 layers of muscles) that close off the pelvis and form the foundation of our core.
The pelvic floor is responsible for maintaining our continence. It plays a role in our pelvic and spinal control and stability, supports our internal organs, and plays a role in our sexual response.
With so many very important jobs it is shocking that more information is not provided to people about the functions of this group of muscles. And, the necessity of caring for and training this part of our body.
“Signs of pelvic floor dysfunction can present.”
The Pelvic Floor Is Part of The Core:
The term ‘core’ has been used in fitness for years. And is still widely talked about. But rarely is the pelvic floor included in those conversations. There are different schools of thought as to which muscles are considered core muscles. However, there is consensus that the inner core unit is comprised of the diaphragm, the multifidus, the transversus abdominis, and the pelvic floor.
Some refer to this unit as ‘the core 4’. When this team of muscles is working synergistically, the roles of the pelvic floor listed above are managed well. When one or more of the team is not working optimally it can throw the synergy out of whack. And signs of pelvic floor dysfunction can present.
The more common forms of pelvic floor dysfunction are incontinence (stress incontinence and urge incontinence are the most prevalent but anal incontinence can also happen), pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic girdle pain.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Can Happen To Anyone:
Anyone with a pelvis can experience pelvic floor challenges but it is more common in women. The female pelvis is a wider shape to accommodate pregnancy and childbirth. And the vagina and urethra are influenced by hormones, menstruation, and childbirth.
Females also have a uterus that fluctuates in weight each month and grows with pregnancy. It can also shift out of position (uterine prolapse). Pregnancy and childbirth are definite risk factors for developing pelvic floor dysfunction. But even women who have never been pregnant or given birth can experience challenges.
“It is very treatable and you are not alone. “
Leaking Urine Doesn’t Always Mean The Muscles Need More Strength:
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. Stress incontinence occurs when some form of exertion, such as laughing, coughing, or exercise leads to tiny amounts of urine leaking out throughout the day. Urge incontinence is when there is a sudden overwhelming urge to void that is often uncontrollable and can lead to a full release of the bladder.
It is possible to have a combination of both, called mixed incontinence. While this is very common, it is not something that is normal just because you are a woman or just because you have given birth. Or, just because you are getting older. It is very treatable and you are not alone.Â
Kegel Weights:
Women wait on average six to seven years before seeking help and will often have tried Kegels. Or, perhaps even have purchased kegel weights or a pelvic floor muscle training device to try and strengthen their muscles.
There is a misconception that incontinence means the muscles are lacking tone. And therefore need to be strengthened. This is true in some cases but it could also be that the muscles are overactive and not fully releasing tension.This means that when they are called upon to react to a laugh or exercise, they are tired and overworked. And, they don’t have their full range of power available to react strongly enough or in time.
Some women will find more improvement in their symptoms by initially working on releasing tension in the pelvic floor, also called down training, and then adding in the contract and lift aspect of kegels.Â
“Kegels are often prescribed but rarely taught so most people are doing them incorrectly.”
Kegels Work When Done With The 3C Approach:
The Kegel exercises were first named in the 1940’s by Dr Arnold Kegel who saw his patients experiencing challenges connecting with their pelvic floor after childbirth. He helped them retrain their pelvic floor using biofeedback to help them see when they contracted and relaxed their pelvic floor muscles. He named this exercise the kegel.
A kegel involves a voluntary contract, lift and release of the pelvic floor muscles. Some cues to help you visualize are to think about picking up a blueberry with your vagina and anus or imagine sipping a smoothie through a straw with your vagina. Kegels are often prescribed but rarely taught so most people are doing them incorrectly.
Coordinated With Movement:
There are some biofeedback devices that can help or you can use your own fingers to self-assess. Honestly, the best way to learn how to do a kegel exercise correctly is to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist.Â
Doing kegels Correctly is essential and that is the first C in the 3C approach. The second C is Coordinated with movement. It is often suggested to do kegels at every red light or while brushing your teeth and while this is better than nothing, it is more effective to train the pelvic floor muscles dynamically with movements like bridges and squats and even bicep curls.
“Kegels are not a quick fix, but rather a lifestyle.”
The third C is Consistently. Like anything, we need to create a habit and train our pelvic floor consistently. Kegels are not a quick fix, but rather a lifestyle.
Benefit From A Yearly Pelvic Floor Physio:
We have been conditioned to brush our teeth twice a day, floss, and see a dentist once a year even if we have no toothache. We can benefit from this same philosophy with our pelvic floor. Do kegels (with movement) daily and see a pelvic floor physio once a year, even if you have no symptoms.
Pelvic floor physiotherapists are trained and licensed to assess and treat the pelvic floor. They can help keep our muscles working optimally and can screen for any potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Is Closely Tied To Back Pain:
Back pain is incredibly common and many will seek help from a chiropractor, a massage therapist, a physio, or maybe acupuncture. While all of these can help, many never actually experience complete relief. Dr. Sinead Dufour, a Canadian researcher and women’s health physiotherapist, conducted a study and found that 95.3% of women with low back pain had some form a pelvic floor dysfunction.
“All women would benefit from pelvic floor physio annually but at the very least, pregnant women.”
Given the correlation to pelvic floor dysfunction and given that pregnancy and childbirth are known risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction, it is astounding that pelvic floor physio is not provided to all pregnant women and new mothers. All women would benefit from pelvic floor physio annually but at the very least, pregnant women.
Bladder Leakages:
Media sends messages that light bladder leakages is ‘just part of being a woman’ and that pads are a necessity in every gym bag. This is false and disempowering and leaves many women feeling alone.
They may avoid social outings, give up fitness for fear of leaking or making it worse, and may even experience challenges with their partner. Women deserve better. They deserve to know and they deserve the care that will actually treat the problem rather than mask it.
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About the Author:
Kim Vopni is a self professed pelvic health evangelist and is known as The Vagina Coach. She has a BA in Psychology and a postgraduate certificate in Health and Fitness. She is a certified fitness professional who became passionate about spreading information on pelvic health when she was pregnant with her first child.Â
Kim is the founder of Pelvienne Wellness Inc – a company offering pelvic health programs products and coaching for women in pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. She is also the creator of the Ab System – a revolutionary birth prep and recovery system for pregnant women. Kim certifies other fitness and movement professionals to work with women with core and pelvic floor challenges through her Core Confidence Specialist Certification and Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist Certification. You can find her on-line at www.vaginacoach.com and on social media @vaginacoachÂ
