The pelvic floor, a group of muscles that supports the bladder, uterus, and rectum, plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, especially for women. Unfortunately, many women experience pelvic floor dysfunction, which can lead to a variety of uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms.
There are a variety of ways the pelvic floor can dysfunction, including:
Urinary incontinence: Difficulty controlling the bladder, resulting in leakage.
Fecal incontinence: Difficulty controlling the bowels, leading to leakage.
Pelvic organ prolapse: When the bladder, uterus, or rectum sags down into the vagina.
Painful intercourse: Discomfort or pain during sexual activity.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can significantly impact your daily life, causing embarrassment, discomfort, and decreased self-esteem. By addressing pelvic floor issues early you can also help prevent more serious complications, such as pelvic organ prolapse. A healthy pelvic floor contributes to better overall health and well-being, including improved sexual function and reduced risk of back pain.
Tips for Improving Pelvic Floor Health
Kegel Exercises: These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. To perform Kegels, imagine you're trying to stop the flow of urine or hold back gas.
Core Strengthening: A strong core supports the pelvic floor. Incorporate exercises like planks, bridges, and crunches into your routine.
Proper Posture: Maintaining good posture helps align the body and reduce strain on the pelvic floor.
Weight Management: Excess weight can put extra strain on the pelvic floor. Aim for a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Avoid Straining: When you strain during bowel movements or heavy lifting, it can put pressure on the pelvic floor.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can provide personalized exercises and techniques to help strengthen and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles.
Can Chiropractic Care Help Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Of course, it can! Chiropractic care can significantly impact pelvic floor health. By addressing misalignments in the spine and pelvis, chiropractors can help restore proper biomechanics and reduce strain on the pelvic floor muscles. This can alleviate symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. Additionally, chiropractic adjustments can improve nerve function, which can also positively influence the health of the pelvic floor muscles.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you're experiencing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional. At OWL Chiropractic, our experienced team can assess how the alignment of your pelvis and function of your nerves could be impacting your pelvic floor. We can then recommend appropriate treatment options. By prioritizing pelvic floor health, you can improve your quality of life, reduce discomfort, and maintain overall well-being.
Want to learn more about the pelvic floor? Join us on Saturday, September 28th at 10:00am for our Women’s Health Wake Up To Wellness event. We will be hosting Dr. JoAnna Dickson of Formation Wellness PT as one of our speakers that day. She will be covering more about what the pelvic floor is, what's normal/what's not, what pelvic floor PT is, and practical ways to optimize the health of your pelvic floor.
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