What exactly is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles housed deep within the pelvis comprised of 3 layers of 15 different muscles. These muscles are the foundation/floor of the core. 

The pelvic floor functions to maintain bowel and bladder control, support the abdominal and pelvic organs (rectum, bladder, and uterus), aids in posture and breathing, has a sexual function, and supports the low back because of the attachment to the coccyx. 

These muscles are different; they don’t function like the biceps or quads. In addition to somatic innervation, they have autonomic innervation, meaning they should work automatically (similar to your eyelids), but in coordination with several very important systems (genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and lymphatic).  

Dysfunction in this group of muscles can have many different presentations that greatly affect quality of life because of the systems that pass through these muscles, and should be evaluated and treated as such. Hint— kegels most likely aren’t the treatment for your symptoms. 

Common presentations I see and treat include urinary incontinence, constipation, pain with or following intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, or musculoskeletal pain such as hip pain, low back pain, or tailbone pain, in addition to many other symptoms.

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