Everything you need to know about your pelvic floor for athletes
Everything you need to know about the pelvic floor as an athlete
If you are an athlete worried about
that YIKES feeling in your bladder that shows up at the WORST TIME after a 6 mile run
Butt pain that has NOT gone away despite foam rolling and stretching
Annoying leaks when you sneeze and with runing
You might have hear the pelvic floor is be to blame and if that hits too close to home — you aren’t alone and you are in the right place!
This blog is going to tell you what you need to know about your pelvic floor if you are an athlete and why it’s important from a pelvic floor PT specializing in female athletes.
First things first— What is this mystical pelvic floor?
It’s the collection of muscles at the bottom of your pelvis, in that sacred area hidden by your clothes. Even though it’s called a floor, the pelvic floor muscles are like a 3d suspension system inside your pelvis like a trampoline suspension system of muscles.
What does the pelvic floor do?
Well, my friend- what does it NOT do, just kidding!
Many people have been led to believe the pelvic floor is like a 1 trick pony, but the truth is it works with your whole body, especially your brain.
The pelvic floor has connections throughout the inside of your pelvic bones, plus your tailbone and your hips!
It is responsible for holding pee, poop, and gas back with you are NOT at a toilet
It needs to relax so you can fully eliminate when the time comes and you are ON a toilet
It’s works with your brain for having enjoyable intimacy
It’s a major player with your hips, diaphragm, abs, and spine with supporting your back
It actually like an irrigation system to help circulation in your pelvis.
If you feel a little clueless about what is going on with your body, you aren’t alone! As a pelvic floor PT helping athletes of all levels from high school runners to professional athletes to grandmothers, most women have never been taught anything about the pelvic floor and the integral role it plays in your health.
How common are pelvic floor problems in athletes?
One of the well known issues is bladder leaks also known as stress urinary incontinence.
Did you know that accidental bladder leaks affects up to 80% of active women who have NEVER given birth.
So if you have lived through accidental bladder leaks during a workout and you have never had a baby at all, you aren’t alone- and the great news is that you can get help!
If you are a dude wondering if your pelvic floor is part of your problem, yes- I got you too!
Sign of HOW pelvic floor dysfunction show up in people bodies -
Back pain
Constipation
Tailbone pain
Painful sex
Painful ejaculation
Premature ejaculation
Bladder urgency
Painful peeing
And more!
Pelvic floor problems don’t mean your body is broken, but rather it is a sign something needs to be addressed, kinda like a check engine light.
This is where it is really important to get an individualized assessment to get to the root of why your pelvic floor is acting up and where my signature method comes into play with the athletes I help.
Take leakage for example,
leakage can happen for a number of reasons, depending your unique history your pelvic floor might be due to some of these common factors-
The pelvic floor muscles are too weak
The pelvic floor muscles are too tight
The pelvic floor muscles don't know how to coordinate properly
You might be overtraining in the gym
You might not be eating enough
Hormonal imbalance
Psychological stress
Need more sleep
Constipation
Too much caffeine
Certain medications
Understanding the different factors that contribute to your pelvic floor symptoms of pain or leakage is a key part of how I help athletes go from feeling frustrated about leaks slowing them down to confidently training without feeling distracted in your body using my signature 4 pillar framework at Radiance PT.
What to expect during your first pelvic floor physical therapy session at Radiance
First, it's important we get clear on your goals and what is important to you- are you dealing
with painful sex?
Bladder leaks
Constipation
Next the functional movement assessment allows me to understand how your general movement patterns play a role into your symptoms of bladder leakage or pain.
For dynamic athletes like runners or weightlifters, your session includes a treadmill assessment or assessment of your back squat or deadlift so we can see where the sticking points for your symptoms might be showing up.
As a pelvic floor PT trained in visceral mobilization, I include an assessment of your belly and skin to assess how stiff or well the connective tissue moves.
To assess the pelvic floor itself, this is similar to a gyno exam where you are in private treatment room, but the biggest difference is that as a pelvic floor therapist I check the performance of the pelvic floor muscles
Endurance
Coordination
Speed
Power
Flexibility
And more! Yes- your pelvic floor gets tested and also in standing if this is the area where you are having leakage or prolapse symptoms.
For many of the athletes I help who are navigating preparing for childbirth, their pelvic floor problems such as leakage or constipation started years before they ever thought of getting pregnant, but they never knew they could get help.
Part of my mission is to help active women gain a deeper understanding of your body so that you are confident in caring for your body as it changes over the years!
46% of women stop exercising because of bladder leaks and prolapse after childbirth
As a pelvic floor specialist helping female athletes navigate preconception, pregnancy, and proactively prepare for birth, I have seen first hand the amazing results of my clients as they get back to the sports they love and confidently trust their body through the next decades of life.
This is why I believe in supporting women who are proactively trying to understand their bodies so that you can not be slowed down from doing the sports you love!
If you are ready to start your healing journey and are in the Triangle Area of North Carolina, reach out to the Durham Office to book your appointment to learn about which program is the best for your needs.