What Is the Pelvic Floor and How Does It Work?
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that form the base of your pelvis. It supports the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. While pelvic floor awareness is growing, its anatomy and roles are often misunderstood.
How does the pelvic floor work?
The pelvic floor collaborates with your diaphragm, abs, and back muscles to:
Control bladder and bowel movements
Support pelvic organs
Stabilize your pelvis during movement
Assist with sexual function and childbirth (in women)
When you tighten your pelvic floor, it lifts your organs and closes openings (like the urethra). Relaxing these muscles allows for urination and bowel movements.
Pelvic Floor Anatomy
The pelvic floor muscles stretch from your pubic bone to your tailbone. These layered muscles create a supportive "hammock" with three key openings:
Urethra: For urine release
Vagina (in women): Birth canal and sexual function
Anus: For bowel movements
The Core Pressure System
Think of your core like a soda can:
Top: Diaphragm (breathing muscle)
Sides: Abs and obliques
Back: Lower back muscles
Base: Pelvic floor
A full soda can is strong and stable. But if there’s a hole, pressure leaks out. Similarly, your muscles work together to control pressure when you move, breathe, or use the bathroom.
Why Is the Pelvic Floor Important?
A healthy pelvic floor helps you:
Control bladder and bowel movements
Prevent organs from slipping downward (prolapse)
Maintain sexual health and comfort
Support pregnancy weight (for women)
Keep your core strong and stable
If your pelvic floor isn’t functioning properly, it can cause issues including loss of bladder control, organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, diastasis recti, and hernias.
Common issues that cause dysfunction include pregnancy, childbirth, constipation, aging, and heavy lifting.
How to Strengthen the Pelvic Floor
Kegel exercises are a well-known way to strengthen the pelvic floor, but they are not the only option.
Pelvic floor health can also be improved through a variety of exercises that engage the core and surrounding muscles. These can include Pilates, yoga, and functional movements like squats and bridges.
In addition, pelvic floor therapy can strengthen muscles and treat common problems.
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that treats pelvic floor issues. A pelvic floor therapist will assess your muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility. From there, they will help develop a personalized plan. Treatment may include:
Targeted exercises (like Kegels)
Manual therapy
Biofeedback
Electrical stimulation
Education on healthy bladder and bowel habits
When to Seek Help for Pelvic Floor Issues
If you have symptoms like urinary issues, constipation, lower back pain, or pelvic pain, a pelvic floor therapist can help. Early care and focused exercises can significantly improve your quality of life.
Key Takeaways: What Is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles essential for bladder and bowel control, organ support, and sexual function.
Focused exercises and therapy can help strengthen and restore pelvic floor function for both men and women.
Pelvic floor therapy provides tailored, effective care for many pelvic health issues.
Understanding what the pelvic floor is and how it works is the first step toward better pelvic health. If you have concerns, contact a pelvic floor therapist at Summit Physical Therapy for personalized care.