THE PELVIC FLOOR



The pelvic floor is a hammock-like group of muscles and connective tissues stretching from the pubis to the coccyx, supporting pelvic organs (bladder, bowel, uterus/prostate) and enabling control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.











Pelvic floor muscles support internal organs, maintain continence (preventing leakage when coughing or sneezing), assist in sexual function/orgasm, and aid in stability.

Weak or shortened muscles, hyper/hypotonic muscles can cause urinary/fecal incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, constipation, pain during intercourse, or a sensation of pelvic organ pressure.












Typical causes of dysfunction include pregnancy, childbirth, aging, chronic coughing, obesity, and heavy lifting all leading to weakening these muscles.









The levator ani is the bulk of your pelvic floor muscles. It consists of three separate muscle components: pubococcygeus, puboanalis and iliococcygeus


Dysfunction Management


Kegel exercises are most common exercise involving the collective contraction of pelvic floor muscles.
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Some physical therapists specialize in pelvic floor interventions providing biofeedback and internal manual therapy to ensure more effective management.