Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation using Clinical Pilates and Yoga Therapy

 

I found from working in clinical practice for 9 years that we generally neglect the internal structures of our body such as the pelvic floor which may be driving our pain and dysfunction. 

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When your pelvic floor and other deep core muscles are tight and weak, they can cause many symptoms including incontinence, pelvic pain, painful sex, sacroiliac and lumbar pain and the list goes on. The pelvic floor muscles are huge drivers in our body and they need to be addressed in the majority of the population but most importantly in postpartum women. Education on releasing the tension and obtaining normal resting tone and relaxation is key before staring any strengthening program. 

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Breath work, visualization, yoga postures, and meditation are all great ways to teach our pelvic floor to relax. Then combining these techniques with clinical pilates is where the strengthening and motor control comes in. 

 

Self-care and is also an important part of treatment. Knowing what things to avoid and knowing what key functional activities to add to our daily routine is key to pelvic floor rehabilitation. 

 

Lastly, pain education is an important part of treating pelvic floor dysfunction since the pelvic area is an area that we often hold our stress. Anxiety, stress and our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs can perpetuate the pain in our pelvis; understanding how our pain system works has shown to be an effective way of reducing the threat of ongoing pelvic floor dysfunction.