Core strengthening exercises are becoming an increasingly popular way to improve overall physical health and wellness. One area that core strengthening can target is the pelvic floor, which is a group of muscles that support the pelvic organs and stability during movement.
By training the core muscles, it is possible to improve the strength and function of the pelvic floor. However, it is important to note that not all core strengthening exercises are equally effective. Pelvic floor therapy should be tailored to each person. Our Ironhorse physiotherapists in San Ramon understand that each body is different, so we ensure our patients complete the right exercises in a safe and effective manner.
What Is The Pelvic Floor?
Table of Contents
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that span across the base of the pelvic, forming a supportive “hammock” in both men and women. These muscles support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. However, the pelvic floor can become weak or dysfunctional due to several factors or conditions, such as pregnancy, childbirth, aging, and certain medical conditions.
When the pelvic floor isn’t working normally, it can lead to problems such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. It is important to maintain the strength and function of the pelvic floor muscles through exercises. In some cases, certain problems may need medical treatment too.
The Pelvic Floor And The Core
The pelvic floor and the core are closely related. In fact, “the core” is the overall name for a group of muscles that surround the spine, abdomen, and pelvis, including the pelvic floor. The muscles of the core include:
● The pelvic floor
● The diaphragm
● The abdominal muscles, including transversus abdominis, internal and external obliques, and rectus abdominis
● The spinal muscles, including multifidus, erector spinae, and quadratus lumborum
● The hip muscles, such as the deep hip rotators
Together, these muscles work to support various functions such as bladder and bowel control and stability during movement. Coordinated contraction of these stabilizers ensures optimal function throughout the entire body – but this all happens automatically, without any special thought or attention. For any problems that arise in the pelvic floor, exercises that target the core muscles can be beneficial.
Common Signs And Symptoms Of Poor Pelvic Floor Health
Pelvic floor problems may range from overactivity, underactivity, and dysfunction. Some of the signs and symptoms of pelvic floor problems may include:
● Urinary leaking, such as when exercising, laughing or coughing
● Needing to find a toilet urgently
● Difficulty with full emptying of bladder or bowel
● Unintentional wind or fecal loss
● Prolapse
● Pelvic pain
It’s important to seek medical attention for any unusual, severe, or unrelenting symptoms. The right diagnosis is essential to appropriately address and manage any issues.
The Best Ways To Improve Pelvic Floor Function
Every single person is unique, which means that each combination of issues is specific to each person. The first step to better pelvic floor function is therefore an individualized assessment to get a deep understanding of what is happening and an accurate diagnosis.
With this, a tailored management plan can be created that focuses on the patient and their goals. Our Ironhorse physiotherapists in San Ramon are trained to assess, manage, and treat conditions related to the pelvic floor. Some of the common San Ramon core and pelvic floor rehabilitation strategies may include:
Core Exercises
Core exercises can be prescribed to address areas of weakness in the pelvic floor. Our Ironhorse physical therapists teach core exercises that can help specifically retrain the pelvic floor muscles, including exercises that target the deep abdominal, hip, and spinal stabilization muscles.
Home Exercise Program
For the best effect, our physiotherapists may prescribe exercises to be completed at home. The number and type of exercises will depend on each individual. However, we make sure that we prescribe the right exercises for optimal outcomes, focusing on good technique, posture, and breathing consistently.
Education
Exercises are rarely effective if the person completing them doesn’t understand why or how they are important. Our physiotherapists give patients a thorough understanding of what is with tailored advice to empower patients with this knowledge.
Pilates
Pilates targets the core and other global muscles under the supervision of a physiotherapist. This is a great way to build strength, fitness, and address any underlying pelvic floor problems.
Discover Better Health With Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates
Our Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates clinic in San Ramon, CA, is the place to discover better health and wellness. Our physical therapy team helps all adults get back to the activities they enjoy. We work with our patients to find the solution that is right for them and their pelvic floor health!
Get professional help and advice on pelvic floor health. Book an appointment with our experienced pelvic floor physiotherapists!
