Let’s talk about breathing… and your pelvic floor. Did you know they are connected? Your pelvic floor moves in sync with you breathing, or at least it should! Here’s what happens.
INHALE
- Air moves in and down your trachea
- Diaphragm CONTRACTS and lowers
- Belly and rib cage expand and move OUT
- Pelvic floor RELAXES and lowers
EXHALE
- Air moves up your trachea and out
- Diaphragm RELAXES and moves up to resting position
- Belly and rib cage and passively draw IN
- Pelvic floor CONTRACTS and lifts up
This entire process works like a piston effect. If you think simply about it, everything follows the movement of the air as you breathe. When this does NOT happen, it can be called a variety of things. Most commonly referred to as dysfunctional breathing or pelvic floor dyssynergia. Here are a few common symptoms below.
- Constipation or trouble passing a bowel movement
- Low back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Trouble starting urination
- Frequent sighing or yawning
- Sleep disturbance
- Hyperarousal / anxiety
Stay tuned for our next blog post for treatment ideas and how a pelvic floor therapist can help!