The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that sit between the pubic bone in the front, the tailbone at the back, and side to side from one ischeal tuberosity to the other. The pelvic floor muscles form the base of the group of muscles commonly called the ‘core’. These muscles work with the deep abdominal and back muscles and the diaphragm to support the spine and control the pressure inside the abdomen.

A woman’s pelvic floor muscles support her womb, bladder, and bowel. The urethra, the vagina, and the anus all pass through the pelvic floor muscles. A man’s pelvic floor muscles support his bladder and bowel. The urethra and the anus all pass through the pelvic floor muscles. Your pelvic floor muscles help you to control your bladder and bowel, and are involved with sexual function.

All of these functions are extremely important so it’s vital to keep your pelvic floor muscles strong.

Exercise for the pelvic floor muscle can help:

• Improve bladder and bowel control
• Improve recovery after childbirth and gynaecological surgery for women
• Improve recovery after prostate surgery for men
• Increase sexual sensation and orgasmic potential
• Reduce the risk of prolapse
• Increase social confidence and quality of life.

At Fizzio for Life we have physiotherapists that can help with strengthening and improving the functional capabilities of the pelvic floor so feel free to enquire about how we can assist.