Anatomy: The Female Pelvis

I can't take credit for drawing this one but I did label it! This shows the bony features of the female pelvis and where the pelvis floor muscles are located. 



Popular posts from this blog

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Part 1

Image
The risk of Pelvic Organ Prolapse can increase with pregnancy and vaginal delivery, however may occur even without any pregnancies and can even happen to men! What is it?  'Prolapse' comes from the latin word prolabi which means "to fall out". Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) involves the descent of the pelvic organs; the bladder, bowel or uterus, into the vaginal space.  The degree of prolapse is measured on a scale of 0-4, determined by how much the organs have moved toward the opening of the vagina or if they are protruding outside the body. This may be observed by your family doctor, OB/GYN, birth professional or pelvic health physiotherapist by asking you to cough or hold your breath and bear down for 8 seconds to determine the extent of the prolapse.  The female pelvic anatomy (larger pelvic outlet and open space of the vagina) combined with our upright posture makes women particularly vulnerable to this condition. However, men can also experience similar descen
Read more

What's the big deal about walking?

Image
Turns out that walking is a pretty big deal and is vital for the function of our pelvic floor muscles. Using your own two legs to get around also has unique and widespread benefits throughout the body compared to other forms of exercise such as cycling, swimming, running and even the elliptical or stair climber.  Walking promotes: Bone Mineral Density (preventing osteoporosis)   by repetitively  loading the bones of the lower body and spine in a vertical manner with vibrations from the heel striking the ground Cardiovascular Health by recruiting every single muscle in the body from the small muscles in your feet to your core, shoulders and ribs for optimum innervation and circulation.  Weight Management  as your body is able to burn more fat at moderate, rather than high intensities and heart rates Musculoskeletal Health with a natural frequency and loading to help nourish, rather than burn through the cartilage in the knees and hips and of course... Pelvic Health! 
Read more

Post-Natal Pelvic Care and Return to Exercise

Image
Congratulations on your new baby and welcome to a whole new world that revolves around that one tiny bundle of joy! In the wonderful mayhem of new motherhood, it can be easy to forget about you  and the amazing feat that your body recently performed.  In the interest of your immediate and longterm pelvic health, here are some helpful tips for after you've had your baby: Early Post-Natal 0 - 10 days Rest and get sleep when your baby does! Cooling ice to perineum can help with healing and discomfort. This should be used with layer of cloth between skin and cold for a maximum of 10-12mins on and at least 20mins off before re-applying. (You can also use a wet pad that has been put in the fridge/freezer). Gentle  pelvic floor contractions can help decrease perineal swelling. These do not have to be super-strong and are safe to do even if you have stitches. Even if you don’t initially feel the contraction, still try to visualise the muscles working. Ensure you ask focus on
Read more