What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor,  which is located inside the pelvis of males and females is a group of muscles and ligaments that runs from the pubic bone at the front to the coccyx/tail bone at the back.  The pelvic floor includes: Levator ani muscles (puborectalis, pubococcygeus and iliococcgeus), Coccygeus muscle and fascia which covers these muscles.

What are the functions of the Pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor not only functions as a boundary between the abdominal cavity above and the pelvis below but also supports the abdominal & pelvic organs.

Furthermore, it supports urinary and faecal continence as the muscles relax, as well as preventing incontinence when contracted. They also allow for adaptation to changes in intra-abdominal pressures for example when we cough or lift heavy weights. 

What causes pelvic floor muscle weakness? 

These include:

Constipation 

Childbirth 

Excessive coughing (repetitive strain)

Being overweight.

How can you protect your pelvic floor? 

Constipation: Straining or bearing down when you need to go to the toilet can put a lot of strain on your pelvic floor. Using something as simple as the squatty potty can put you in a better position to use the toilet and allow your pelvic floor muscles in particular puborectalis to relax and assist in defacation. 

Pregnancy/ Childbirth: The pelvic floor has an extra role during pregnancy to support the growing baby, but it also has to relax and stretch in order to assist baby being delivered vaginally. Completing pelvic floor muscle exercises may improve the strength of the pelvic floor and typically you can commence before you are even pregnant. An assessment performed by a qualified pelvic health practitioner can provide you with a personalised plan using the perfect scheme. This allows for ensuring that you can effectively contract as well as relax your pelvic floor muscles.

If you have any concerns about your pelvic floor function or need advise around reducing the risk of constipation and incontinence or performing perineal massage, Dani at Valued Health Osteopathy is more than happy to have a chat with you about your situation, perform a diagnostic assessment, provide treatment, and develop a tailored management plan. 

References:

1. Bordoni B, Sugumar K, Leslie SW. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Pelvic Floor. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482200/

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You do not need a referral to see one of our friendly Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy. We have a very good relationship with many surrounding doctors, other health practitioners and personal trainers in the local community of Bentleigh East , Bentleigh, Ormond, McKinnon, Oakleigh, Carnegie, Caulfield, Moorabbin, Murrumbeena, Brighton, Clayton and Clarinda.

Valued Health Osteopathy offers Osteopathy, Clinical Pilates, Infant & Children Osteopathy, Pelvic Health Osteopathy, Exercise Rehabilitation and Strength & Conditioning. Valued Health Osteopathy is open 6 days a week with early morning and evening appointments.

Valued Health Osteopathy is located at 3/658 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Melbourne, Victoria, 3165.

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