Have you ever experienced leakage when you sneeze, cough or jump? Is having intercourse painful? Do you ever feel that you are not fully emptying your bladder or like you frequently need to go to the toilet? Do you feel heaviness or a bulge in your vagina or rectum? These are some signs that you may be suffering from a pelvic floor disorder. Unfortunately, these issues are common, but are rarely openly discussed and can even be accepted as normal (they are not!), all the while creating significant stress for the women affected. Having a deeper understanding of the nature of these issues is the key to empowering ourselves to have better pelvic floor health.
What is the pelvic floor and why is it important?
The pelvic floor is a dome shaped layer of muscles, running from your pubic bone to your tailbone, forming the base of your pelvis. These muscles are involved with multiple functions, such as:
Supporting, or acting as a ‘floor’ for the internal organs.
Assisting in the control of the opening and closing of the bladder, bowel and vagina.
Contributing to core, spinal and pelvis stability.
Aids with sexual response and orgasm.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur when these muscles become weakened or damaged, leading to the muscles not contracting and relaxing when they need to. Factors that can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction can be, but are not limited to, hormonal changes, age or a difficult vaginal delivery (with higher risk of damage when interventions are required).
Optimal pelvic floor function is important for birth.
Pelvic floor muscles are intimately involved with the birth process. During labour, especially during crowning, the ability to relax the pelvic floor muscles (as well as the ability to contract them), is crucial for the babies to engage through the birth canal. The inability to relax the pelvic floor muscles during labour can lead to increased fatigue for the birthing Mum, which may lead to needing more interventions to assist the birthing process.
Chiropractic and pelvic floor control for pregnant women
Recent research conducted in New Zealand investigated the effects of one spinal adjustment on the pelvic floor function on a group of pregnant women, and a comparison group of non-pregnant female chiropractic students.
The results showed that after one spinal adjustment pregnant women have a greater ability to relax their pelvic floor muscles at rest. This relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles shows chiropractic care could be beneficial to pregnant women and may help in the process of having a natural vaginal delivery.
Chiropractic and pelvic floor control for non-pregnant women
This research also demonstrated that after one spinal adjustment, non-pregnant women were able to contract their pelvic floor muscles to a degree only seen in elite athletes. Chiropractic care for non-pregnant women who get checked and adjusted regularly enables greater sensory-motor control, potentially decreasing the risk of future post-partum urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.
Whether you are pregnant planning on pregnancy or have had a baby, your pelvic floor muscles require special attention. Chiropractic care if often used in the care of pregnant women, particularly for lower back pain, but have you thought about chiropractic care for your pelvic health in preparation for birth and postpartum recovery? At Eastern Bay Chiropractic, alongside your chiropractic care, if needed we may also recommend getting your pelvic health assessed by specialty-trained pelvic floor physiotherapists, qualified to perform an internal pelvic floor evaluation.