3 THINGS THAT AFFECT PELVIC FLOOR FUNCTION

1. sucking in This is usually due to the pressure to look thin by sucking and holding in or bellies. This mis-recruits the outer muscles preventing the diaphragm from moving freely as the ribcage is fixed and in turn the pelvic floor muscles cannot function properly. 2. Posture Adopting an upright posture while sitting and standing switches on the inner unit. Slumping or slouching shuts down the deeper abdominals and pelvic floor muscles and prevents the diaphragm from moving down during inhalation. Encouraging good posture at all times is the foundation of correct pelvic floor recruitment. 3. Stress When we are stressed our ribcage can become fixed and breathing can become shallow increasing tension in the neck and shoulders as the accessory breathing muscles overwork, and as above prevents the diaphragm from moving freely and in turn the pelvic floor muscles. In some cases this can cause a hypertonic (overly tight) pelvic floor as we’re not allowing it to relax. For correct pelvic floor function to occur we need to reconnect with breathing effectively, adopt good posture and try to find time to relax and let go, easier said than done, I know but if we are more aware of this we can make adjustments to different activities we do and take some time out to tune into our breathing. . . #pelvicfloor #pelvicfloorfunction #pelvicfloorexercises #breathing #breathingexercises #relax #postnatalfitness #postnatalexercise #postnatalrecovery #stalbansmums #harpendenmums #londonmums #stalbansfitness #stalbansclasses