Your pelvic floor might not be top of mind every day, but it’s one of the most important muscle groups in your body. At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy, we understand how critical pelvic floor health is for everyone—especially active adults and athletes. Whether you’re male or female, young or aging, prioritizing pelvic floor strength and mobility can significantly improve your quality of life.

In this guide, we’ll cover what the pelvic floor is, common issues, how to maintain its health, and how pelvic floor physical therapy can help you stay active and pain-free.

What Is the Pelvic Floor?

Learn about Pelvic Floor Health by experts at Athletic Edge Physical Therapy — The pelvic floor is a network of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues located at the base of your pelvis. Think of it as a supportive hammock that holds up some of the body’s most important organs, including the bladder, uterus (for women), rectum, and prostate (for men).

Key Functions of the Pelvic Floor:

Supports Pelvic Organs: Keeps your bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs in place.
Manages Waste: Controls bladder and bowel functions, preventing leakage.
Enhances Sexual Health: Plays a role in sexual satisfaction and performance.

Common Pelvic Floor Issues

Many people experience pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives, but they may not connect the symptoms to their pelvic floor. Here are some of the most common issues:

1. Incontinence

This is the inability to control urination or bowel movements, which can happen unexpectedly. Types of incontinence include:

Stress Incontinence: Leakage caused by sudden pressure, like coughing, sneezing, jumping, or running.
Urge Incontinence: A sudden, strong need to urinate, often triggered by everyday actions like hearing running water.
Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence.

2. Prolapse

Prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles weaken and fail to support pelvic organs, causing them to drop from their normal position. Types of prolapse include:

Uterine Prolapse: The uterus descends into the vaginal canal.
Rectal Prolapse: The rectum protrudes through the anus.

Pelvic floor therapy can significantly improve these conditions by strengthening and stabilizing the affected muscles.

3. Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can stem from:

Tight Muscles: Can cause discomfort during sex, tampon use, or even going to the bathroom.
Weak Muscles: Can lead to prolapse, incontinence, or chronic pain in the pelvis, back, or hips.

How to Maintain Pelvic Floor Health

Just like any other muscle group, your pelvic floor needs regular care and attention to stay strong and functional.

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Strengthening your pelvic floor starts with exercises like Kegels or diaphragmatic breathing, which improve muscle coordination and reduce issues like incontinence or pelvic pain.

Want to dive deeper into pelvic floor health and exercises? Download our free Pelvic Floor 101 ebook to learn more about how to strengthen and protect your pelvic floor.

Lifestyle Choices

Limit Bladder Irritants: Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages if you’re experiencing urinary leakage.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.
Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces unnecessary pressure on the pelvic floor.

Posture Matters

Proper posture supports pelvic floor health by managing intra-abdominal pressure.

Avoid “rib flaring” or over-arching your lower back.
Focus on keeping a neutral spine, whether sitting, standing, or exercising.

When to See a Pelvic Floor Specialist

If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms, such as incontinence or pelvic pain, consulting a pelvic floor physical therapist is one of the best ways to address the issue.

Signs You Should Seek Help:

Incontinence: Whether stress, urge, or mixed.
Pelvic Pain: Unexplained discomfort during daily activities.
Postpartum or Prenatal Concerns: Pregnancy can place significant stress on the pelvic floor.
Unresolved Back or Hip Pain: Especially if it hasn’t improved with traditional orthopedic physical therapy.

What to Expect During Physical Therapy:

At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy in San Diego, we specialize in pelvic floor assessments and treatments, including:

Internal and External Exams: To evaluate muscle function, coordination, and tightness.
Personalized Treatment Plans: These include tailored exercises, posture corrections, and lifestyle recommendations to strengthen and mobilize your pelvic floor.

Why Pelvic Floor Health Matters

Your pelvic floor is central to your overall well-being, influencing everything from bladder control to physical performance. By prioritizing pelvic floor care, you can:

Prevent or reduce incontinence and pelvic pain.
Improve your posture and core stability.
Enhance sexual function and satisfaction.
Avoid long-term complications like prolapse.

Get Help from San Diego’s Pelvic Floor Experts

At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy, we’re committed to helping you achieve optimal pelvic floor health. Whether you’re recovering postpartum, dealing with chronic pain, or simply looking to improve your core stability, our experienced team is here to guide you.

Call or text us at (858) 371-2575, or contact us here to get started today.

San Diego Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy