What is the pelvic floor and where is it located? The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues attached to the bones at the bottom of your pelvis. If you could look down vertically in between your hip bones, you would see the pelvic floor muscles at the bottom (floor!) of your pelvis.

What does your pelvic floor do?

Your pelvic floor is working 24/7, and some of its job duties may surprise you. Pelvic floor muscles act like a hammock supporting your bladder, colon, rectum, vagina, cervix, and uterus. Working in unison with your hip muscles, your lumbar spine, and your diaphragm, pelvic floor muscles stabilize your hips and trunk, helping you to stand upright, walk, and shimmy. Lymphatic drainage your pelvic floor muscles help move fluid through the lymphatic system located in your hip and pelvic region. Pelvic floor muscles help your bladder and rectum open and close on demand when you need to pee and poop (and when you need not to). Those same muscles that squeeze to keep your pee from leaking are the muscles that contract and release during the Big O.

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What is pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction is when you have difficulty coordinating your pelvic floor muscles, resulting in problems with urination, defecation (bowel movements), and having sex.

 

Do you have to have children to have pelvic floor dysfunction?

No, actually children, men, and women all can experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor dysfunction can happen to anyone and is more common than you may think. Statistics show 1 out of every 5 people suffers from some type of pelvic floor dysfunction at some time in their life. Pelvic floor dysfunction at times can present with lower back pain, coccyx pain, sacroiliac pain, hip pain, constipation, and frequent urinary tract infections. Which is a big reason why it's often overlooked or misdiagnosed?

 

What are some symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?

• I always feel like I am getting a UTI

• I always have a UTI

• Sex hurts or is uncomfortable

• Wearing a tampon hurts

• My hips, back, groin, and buttocks hurt me, especially after laundry and or cleaning

• I have this deep hip pain that radiates

• I leak when I cough or sneeze 🤧

• I leak while I run or lift

• I am always in the bathroom

• My sciatica is so bad

• My pubic bone hurts

• I workout and my tummy bulges

• No matter what I do I can’t get rid of my mommy pouch

• I have reflux

• I feel like I have to push pee out all the time

• My bladder feels like I can never fully empty it

• I feel like I pee every hour (I am always in the bathroom)

• I wake up 2 or more times to pee..

• My c-section scar hurts

• My tailbone hurts

• I poop twice a week or less

• Sometimes I feel like I have to keep wiping after a bowel movement (it's like it keeps coming out)

• I have endometriosis

• I stopped exercising because I am always in pain afterward

 

Want to know what to expect from your first appointment Check out our FAQ tab for more details 

 

Take our quiz to see if you are a good candidate for pelvic floor therapy. 

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Call us today! We offer free phone consultations with a pelvic floor occupational therapist to help you get started with the best program for you.