The Importance of Pelvic Wellness for Women’s Health

What we often see clinically is that many women become pregnant unaware of their pelvic floor condition. This can lead to:

• Pregnancy-related aches and pains
• Prolonged labor with extended pushing
• Unexpected complications
• Varying degrees of birth trauma

Postpartum, women face societal pressure to:

• “Bounce back” quickly
• Resume physical activities prematurely
• Regain their pre-pregnancy body shape
• Make motherhood appear effortless

These pressures often result in women ignoring or becoming desensitized to aches and pains as they try to cope with their new reality. On top of this, they’re often breastfeeding or pumping while pushing themselves to lose weight. This cycle frequently repeats as families grow.

After completing their families, women are often told that issues such as:

• Pain during intimacy
• Chronic back and hip pain
• Urinary incontinence
• Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
• Pelvic pain or pressure

are normal consequences of childbirth. They continue living with these issues, resorting to medication or surgery if symptoms become severe.

Fast forward 30 years, and these untreated issues, combined with aging, have progressed. They now significantly impact quality of life and may lead to a loss of independence.

To break this cycle, we need to share essential information that will support our generation’s experience with childbirth and long-term health. While we often focus on external health (skin care, hair care, body size), what truly matters for our future well-being is internal health:

• Are our bodies properly nourished?
• Are we adequately hydrated?
• Are our organs and joints optimized for longevity?

These factors will have the most significant impact on our lives in the long run.

The Role of Pelvic Floor Therapy

Every woman can benefit from pelvic floor therapy:

1. Pre-pregnancy: Establish a baseline for pelvic health, which can aid conception and prevent future issues.
2. During pregnancy: Implement Body Motion Birth Preparation Protocols to improve birth outcomes and reduce push time.
3. Postpartum: Receive internal and external manual therapy to protect the core and joints during healing.

It’s important to note that healing from birth takes a minimum of 18 months under ideal conditions. Subsequent pregnancies extend this healing time further.

During pregnancy, the body produces relaxin and progesterone, hormones that loosen joints. Postpartum, the pelvic floor often recoils and tightens excessively in an attempt to stabilize the pelvis. Scar tissue can further increase this tightening. Both vaginal births and c-sections affect the pelvic floor, and without proper treatment, these muscles are prone to injury or compensatory movements that can impact joints and back health over time.

From postpartum recovery through perimenopause and menopause, our bodies continue to change. Ongoing pelvic floor work helps improve core function, enhancing overall wellness and preventing issues from plantar fasciitis to sciatica. It also ensures that pelvic muscles remain hydrated and coordinated, protecting against vaginal dryness, incontinence, and pain during intimacy.

Our clients range from 18 to 81 years old, demonstrating that pelvic wellness is vital for every phase of life. It’s heartbreaking to hear from women who wish they had known about pelvic floor therapy sooner, as they’ve lived with issues for years or even decades, impacting their ability to:

• Keep up with their children
• Engage in favorite physical activities
• Maintain intimate connections with partners
• Advance in their careers
• Travel and enjoy life fully

This is why prioritizing pelvic wellness is key to women’s health throughout their lives.