THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter
PELVIC FLOOR: THE FLOOR OF THE CORE AND LOWER BACK INSIDE : • We Provide Personal Care For Personal Issues • Featured PT (continued from outside)
• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight
The pelvic floor forms the base of our “core”, a system that supports both our breathing and posture. When we think about the “core”, more often than not, only the abdominal area comes to mind. However, the core extends from the SIT bones to the mid torso, where the diaphragm, (the primary muscle of breathing) and transverse abdominis,
floor will not address the issue and could reinforce imbalances that already exist. Rather, the length, strength, and coordination of the pelvic floor must be assessed as part of a comprehensive plan in the treatment of low back pain. Understanding the role of breathing mechanics, pelvic floor function, and the core as a whole is essential in moving more efficiently and pain-free. So how do we get started in the treatment of low back pain while also considering the role of the pelvic floor? At Excel Physical Therapy, we evaluate and treat patients considering all the pieces of the puzzle that could play a role into their pain experience. Patients receive hands-on, one-on-one care from a licensed physical therapist, who will remain with you throughout your entire treatment. At several of our locations, physical therapists have received specialized training in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and are able to evaluate and design a treatment plan individualized to each patient. If you or a loved one could benefit from Pelvic Floor therapy, feel free to contact one of our Pelvic Floor therapists to learn more about how to improve movement, reduce pain and achieve your recovery goals. Sources: Bhatnager,G.,&Sahu,M. (2017).Comparisonof pelvic floor exercises and conventional regimen in patientswith chronic low backpain. IndianJournalofPhysicalTherapyandOccupationalTherapy,11,38-42.
By Ashley Long, PT, DPT
(a deep abdominal muscle), attach (Key,2013) . Pelvic floor musculature has the following functions as the “floor of the core”: 1) maintain bowel and bladder control, 2) support pelvic organs, 3) sexual functioning, and 4) provide stability to the spine with pressure changes during movement and actions such as coughing or sneezing. If the pelvic floor is not contracting in coordination with our breathing, it is unable to provide optimal support to the low back. In turn, the body develops compensatory movement patterns where more superficial muscles become overactive, firing too early and too often. Due to over-activity, the trunk becomes stiffer, muscle tension develops, and breath holding occurs, all of which lead to changes in posture and movement. These changes in posture and movement can lead to the development of low back pain. However, simply strengthening the pelvic
Key,J. (2013). ‘Thecore’:Understanding it,and retraining its function.JournalofBodywork&MovementTherapies,17,541-559.
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