4 Ways A Chiropractor Can Help Restore Your Pelvic Floor

Hey, mom or mom-to-be! You are probably here for one of two reasons. One, you recently had a baby and your pelvic floor is feeling it! Or two, you are going to have a baby and are prepping your amazing body to bring life into this world. Either way, we are so glad that you are here.

You can prepare your pelvic floor for birth and you can restore it after, and chiropractic care will help!

What is your pelvic floor?

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that form a sling or hammock-like structure at the base of your pelvis. These muscles and tissues help to support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum and are important for maintaining bladder and bowel control, as well as sexual function.

During labor and delivery, your pelvic floor muscles can be subjected to significant stress and pressure, which can cause them to stretch, weaken, or tear. This can result in pelvic floor disorders such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. In some cases, these issues can be temporary and resolve on their own, but in others, they may persist and require treatment.

It is important for women to be aware of the effects of labor and delivery on the pelvic floor and to take steps to maintain and strengthen these muscles, particularly after childbirth.

‍This can help to prevent or reduce the risk of developing pelvic floor disorders and improve overall pelvic health.

How can you strengthen your pelvic floor?

These are five ways that we guide the mothers at TruCentered Chiroprcactic Care to strengthen their pelvic floor

1. Kegel Exercises: Kegel exercises help to target and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Women can perform these exercises anywhere, at any time, and no one will know they are doing them. To perform Kegel exercises, women should contract and release the pelvic floor muscles, holding the contraction for a few seconds and then releasing.
2. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Pelvic floor physical therapy is another effective way to strengthen the pelvic floor after birth. A physical therapist can help to assess the pelvic floor muscles and create a customized rehabilitation program to strengthen them.
3. Core Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening the muscles of the core, including the pelvic floor, can help to improve overall support for the pelvic organs and reduce stress on the pelvic floor muscles.
4. Yoga and Pilates: Certain yoga and Pilates exercises can be very effective for strengthening the pelvic floor. Many yoga poses and Pilates exercises target the core and pelvic floor muscles, helping to improve their strength and stability. Women can work with a trained instructor to ensure that they are performing the exercises correctly and safely.
5. And of course, see your chiropractor regularly! When specifically trained in women's health, your chiropractor can adjust and align your body to foster pelvic floor restoration and health!

Can a chiropractor help your pelvic floor?

When you hear the word “chiropractic”, you more than likely imagine a quick crack or pop of your neck and back. You likely associate chiropractors with pain management. But chiropractic is SO much more than that. Especially for women and children. Chiropractic care will nurture your body’s innate ability to heal - even your pelvic floor. A chiropractor is able to:

1. Align the pelvis: A misaligned pelvis can put pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, causing discomfort and reducing their ability to function effectively. Chiropractors can use manual adjustments to realign the pelvis and reduce stress on the pelvic floor muscles.
2. Release tension: Tight muscles in the pelvic region, including the pelvic floor muscles, can cause discomfort and affect their ability to function properly. Chiropractors can use various techniques to release tension in these muscles, including manual adjustments, massage, and stretching.
3. Improve posture: Poor posture can put additional stress on the pelvic floor muscles, leading to discomfort and impairing their function. Chiropractors can assess posture and make recommendations to improve it, reducing stress on the pelvic floor muscles.
4. Enhance nerve function: The nerves that control the pelvic floor muscles run through the pelvis and can be impacted by subluxations (misalignments) in the spine. Chiropractors can use manual adjustments to improve nerve function, which can enhance the functioning of the pelvic floor muscles.

It is important to note that while chiropractic care can help to improve pelvic floor health, it is not a substitute for pelvic floor physical therapy or other forms of treatment that may be recommended by a healthcare provider.