The Hidden Muscle That Changes Everything

If you’ve ever Googled “Why does it hurt when I sit?”, “Why am I leaking pee when I cough or sneeze?”, or “What the heck is the pelvic floor?” you’re not alone. These muscles play a bigger role in your everyday life than most people realize, and when something feels off, it can show up in ways that are confusing, frustrating, or even hard to talk about.

So, what is the pelvic floor exactly?

At the bottom of your pelvis is a multilayered group of muscles and connective tissues known as the pelvic floor. These muscles stretch from your pubic bone to your tailbone, and from one sit bone to the other, creating a flexible, dynamic basket of support for your pelvic organs, which include your bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum.

These muscles don’t work alone. They function as part of your core system, coordinating with your diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and deep back stabilizers to support posture, breathing, and movement. They also play a central role in your ability to control your bowel and bladder, maintain healthy sexual function, and adapt to everyday physical demands like lifting, coughing, or exercising.

You may not feel these muscles working, but they’re active throughout the day, helping you move with ease and stability. When they’re not working the way they are supposed to — whether they’re weak, tense, or uncoordinated — you may start to notice symptoms that impact you in all sorts of different ways from bladder control to sexual pain.

So, what can physical therapy do for my pelvic floor?

You can think of pelvic floor therapy as a personalized look into how these muscles are working — and how they could be working better. In fact, research studies promote physical therapy as a first-line intervention for pelvic floor issues over medication or surgical procedures.

It typically begins with a one-on-one evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist, who will take the time to understand your symptoms, your medical history, and your daily habits (like how you go to the bathroom, how you move, how you rest, and more).

Based on what your body needs, your pelvic floor therapist will create a care plan that may include evidence-based techniques like:

·       Hands-on manual therapies to release tension

·       Targeted pelvic floor exercises to improve coordination or strength

·       Education around posture, movement, and bowel and bladder habits

Health In Balance is pleased to offer pelvic floor therapy, which is covered by many insurance plans, even if other clinics have advertised only cash-pay options. So, if you’re experiencing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction—like pain, leaking, or just feeling disconnected from your body, schedule an appointment for pelvic floor physical therapy today!  Whether you’re looking for strengthening, relaxing, or not sure where to even start, we can help!