The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis, spanning from pubic bone to tailbone and from sit bone to sit bone.
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Pelvic floor movement occurs both voluntarily and reflexively. Another word for a conscious contraction of the pelvic floor is a “Kegel". Adequate function of the pelvic floor means that it can contract correctly, relax fully, be active at the appropriate times, and relaxed at the appropriate times.
The deep core system includes the diaphragm, transversus abdominus, pelvic floor, and multifidi muscles. These muscles function together to manage intra-abdominal pressure. This system is dynamic, and factors like how we breathe, what position we are in, and conscious or reflexive muscular contraction affect how it functions.
The diaphragm is the driver of this system. When we inhale, the diaphragm descends to allow the lungs to fill with air. The transversus abdominus and the pelvic floor respond by gently lengthening. When we exhale, the diaphragm ascends and the transversus abdominis and pelvic floor recoil.
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The following could be signs of a problem with the pelvic floor muscles, pressure management strategies, or a combination of both:
