What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor, secondarily known as a pelvic diaphragm, has a really significant role to play in your body and overall well being. It is a group of 16 muscles functioning together as a unit to provide control and support to your pelvis and the spine.

What is meant by Pelvic Floor health?

Women at large can face problems from a pelvic floor that is too tight or loose. The pelvic floor function and the importance of its role is something that you should know about for women and their gym routines, other bodily functions like the ones mentioned below. 

Please note that men and women both have a pelvic floor, but it is not discussed as much with men given the slight difference in anatomy and its implications. 

Here is a list of 5 essential facts about the pelvic floor that you should be familiar with

1. Muscles in the pelvic floor are affected by pain muscles and connective tissue of your pelliand emotion:

You might be wondering how? So here’s the thing, do you furrow your brows as a reaction to something? Or maybe clench your jaw? These reactions can subconsciously happen in your pelvic floor too! This response to pain and emotion in your pelvic floor is generated by the sympathetic nervous system. 

2. The pelvic floor constricts the urethra, vagina and anal canal:

Your pelvic floor might be inactive if you experience involuntary leakage while sneezing, jumping, running or laughing. A healthy bladder movement and bowel control are generated by the above-mentioned function of the pelvic floor.

3. The pelvic floor provides support for the pelvic organs:

The muscles and connective tissues of your pelvic, apart from constriction, help restrain your internal organs inside your body. Symptoms of prolapse may occur if muscle functionality is hindered. 

4. The pelvic floor responds to breathing patterns and shifts in intra-abdominal pressure

Your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles lengthen and expand to provide space for your organs; when you breathe, your ribs widen, and the diaphragm flattens while lowering itself and pushing the other organs down. Your diaphragm and pelvic floor work in harmony to cater for this. 

The pelvic floor works as a part of the deep stabilizing system:

The pelvic floor is also supportive of an intricate system that helps stabilize the core, which is known as the deep stabilizing system. The diaphragm, multifidus, transverse abdominis, and pelvic floor are the muscles inclusive of the stabilizing system. The transverse abdominis and the pelvic floor are always active during most activities. 

Here’s a fun tip that you can put to the test for activating your pelvic muscles

If you are a female:

Imagine having a really hard time containing your pee and the unavailability of a toilet. You have to press together and lift your pelvic floor muscles to close the passage till you figure out something. 

If you are a male

Imagine yourself walking into the sea while it’s dead cold. Think of cold or unpleasant circumstances.