Your Pelvic Floor and the Holidays

We have reached our 10th episode! We are so excited to continue the podcast and be able to connect with others on a deeper level than just sending emails or writing Instagram posts. This week, Dr. Sara Nelson and Dr. Chrissy Clark use the holidays as a metaphor to discuss the pelvic floor and symptoms associated with dysfunction.  ⭐️Know what you have to work with ❤️Anatomy and function of the pelvic floor is like a wrapped present ❤️These muscles are hidden but hold a lot of emotions, functions, and experiences that are highlighted during the holidays (TW: abuse and medical trauma are discussed) ❤️Empowering people to use boundaries both in medicine and personal lives ⭐️Pelvic floor muscles work with others to get the job done ❤️Other muscles surrounding the pelvis help the PFM function optimally ❤️Stronger contraction from other muscles helps the PFM meet that contraction ❤️Importance of max contraction and loading the body appropriately to make a change and support the muscles as a synergistic system ❤️Specific trunk and hip specific muscles that help the PF and pelvis ❤️Diaphragm and pelvic floor have involuntary reactions based on fight or flight which increases during the holidays ❤️Need everyone to work together to reduce injury and improve function ⭐️Pelvic floor muscles get better results when they can relax  ❤️Worry leads to tension and fatigue which makes it harder to get things done ❤️Bicep analogy (full contraction/relaxation for optimal function) ❤️Contraction= Active component of squeeze and lift to maintain continence and organ positioning ❤️Relaxation= Active component of lengthening to eliminate urine and stool more effectively and to reduce pain ❤️Relaxation= Maintaining low tone as a baseline to be able to support organs and stabilize pelvis ❤️Gripping versus tone ❤️Extra self-care is important and there may be push back (you know what your soul needs) ❤️Building skills for life-long use ❤️Shout out to The Yoga Community! ❤️Difference between an active/conscious relaxation and bulging of tissues ⭐️Pelvic floor muscles aren’t just about strength but coordination too ❤️Healing is not linear (can have flare ups during the holidays) ❤️Powering through is exhausting then the coordination is lost ❤️Balance is key when demand is increased ❤️Shame cycles reflect in our pelvic floor ❤️Know your boundaries