Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is comprised of both muscles and connective tissue.
Main functions of the pelvic floor include:
Supporting the pelvic organs. The pelvic floor helps to keep the pelvic organs within the pelvis and prevent pelvic organ prolapse
Maintaining urinary and anal continence. The pelvic floor helps to keep the urethra and back passage closed to prevent incontinence. The muscles also need to be able to relax to allow for urine and stool to pass
Sexual function. The pelvic floor muscles need to relax to allow passage of a partner. It is known that a strong pelvic floor contraction is related to increased pleasure during sex
The pelvic floor has a deep layer and a superficial layer.
The deep layer of muscles starts at the front of the pelvis, wraps around the back passage before returning to the opposite side of the pelvis creating a U shape.
The superficial layer of muscles (urogenital triangle) sits below this, closer to the skin.
Like any other skeletal muscles, the pelvic floor muscles can be trained. Training of the pelvic floor muscles can include improving coordination, strength or endurance depending on each individual patients needs.
There are many things that contribute to the effectiveness of a pelvic floor contraction, including:
Posture. A posture where the rib cage is aligned over the pelvis allows for optimal contraction
Breathing pattern. Breath holding can increase pressure within the abdomen and pressure down onto the pelvic floor making it hard to hold a good contraction
Nerve supply. Nerves travel from the spine to the pelvic floor muscles. An intact nerve supply is needed to help the muscle work
Maintaining good pelvic floor strength over your lifetime
Past injury to the muscle. Like any other muscle group, if there has been an injury to a group of muscles they need to be rehabilitated to improve their function. An athlete will rehab their strained hamstring before returning to sport. This is the same as the pelvic floor, if there has been some injury i.e. obstetric anal sphincter tear (OASI) then these muscles can be strengthened to improve function