The “pelvic floor” refers to a group of muscles that attach to the front, back and sides of the pelvic bone and sacrum (the large fused bone at the bottom of your spine, just above the tailbone). Like a sling or hammock, these muscles support the organs in the pelvis, including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. They also wrap around your urethra, rectum, and vagina in women.

Coordinated contracting and relaxing of these muscles control bowel and bladder functions—the pelvic floor must relax to allow for urination, bowel movements and, in women, sexual intercourse. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women experience women’s health problems during their lifetime. This includes problems with their pelvic floor. Many tolerate these problems, often for years, either too embarrassed to seek help or unaware that there are treatments available.

Pelvic Floor weakness occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the organs weaken. This can be caused by various issues including neuro-muscular skeletal disorders, chronic low back pain and certain gait (walking) dysfunctions, childbirth, aging, chronic cough, hormonal changes such as menopause, excessive straining from constipation, constant heavy lifting and obesity. There’s a lot of publicity given to incontinence in women during their lifespan but a large percentage of men suffer with urinary control issues too.

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