Pelvic floor health is often considered a topic that only applies to women, especially in the context of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. However, the pelvic floor is an important part of overall health and well-being for both men and women. One of the most common yet often overlooked issues associated with pelvic floor dysfunction is its connection to lower back pain.

Understanding the relationship between pelvic floor and back pain is our treatment's only clue to deliver efficient care; that is where Townline Physiotherapy Abbotsford makes sense. Below, we break down the details about the connection in which pelvic floor dysfunction may create or worsen lower back pain, and ways through which it could be better with pelvic floor physiotherapy.

What's the Pelvic Floor?

Let us begin by understanding what the pelvic floor is and its role in the body before discussing its relationship with lower back pain.

The pelvic floor is a collection of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that make up a "hammock" at the bottom of the pelvis. These muscles support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs and are involved in controlling urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.

Beyond the above essential functions, the pelvic floor muscles work synergistically with other muscles within the body, including the abdominal, hip, and lower back muscles to ensure proper posture, support movement, and prevent injury.

The Pelvic Floor and Lower Back Pain: The Hidden Connection

The relationship between the pelvic floor and lower back pain is often underestimated, yet it is one that can greatly affect a person's physical well-being. A well-functioning pelvic floor provides support to the lower back and helps maintain proper posture. When the pelvic floor becomes weak, tight, or imbalanced, it can contribute to lower back pain and other musculoskeletal issues.

1. Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles and Lower Back Pain

One of the commonest causes of lower back pain associated with pelvic floor dysfunction is weakness of the pelvic floor muscles. They are part of the body's core stabilization system, along with the deep abdominal and lower back muscles, which support the spine. A weakness in the strength of the pelvic floor muscles leads to an imbalance in the system; poor posture and undue tension of the lower back muscles often follow.

Over time, this imbalance may cause chronic lower back pain as the muscles in the lower back have to work extra hard to compensate for the lack of support from the pelvic floor.

There are many causes of weak pelvic floor muscles, such as:

Age: The pelvic floor muscles can naturally weaken with age.

Childbirth: For women, pregnancy and childbirth can stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles.

Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle may cause weakened muscles, including the pelvic floor.

Obesity: Extra weight can cause pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, which may eventually weaken.

2. Tight Pelvic Floor Muscles and Lower Back Pain

In contrast to weakness, tightness in the pelvic floor muscles can also cause lower back pain. Tight pelvic floor muscles can create tension in the pelvic region, which can radiate to the lower back. This tension can cause discomfort and restriction in movement, making it difficult for the lower back to function properly.

When the pelvic floor muscles are tight, they can contribute to:

Pelvic malalignment: Stretched pelvic floor muscles pull the pelvis forward or backward, resulting in malalignment of the spine, which then results in backache.

Restricted movement: Constricted muscles decrease the range of movement in the pelvis and the hips and stress the lower back muscles as it compensates to carry out all these movements.

Muscle spasm: Tightening of the muscles in the pelvic floor will result in muscle spasms and hence pain at both the pelvis and the lower back regions.

Tightened pelvic floor muscles can be contributed to by, for example

Chronic stress: Stress usually tightens all muscles in the body, which is also a source of stress on the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Postural imbalances: Poor postures will normally tighten the pelvic floor and even the lower back and other associated muscle groups.

Trauma or injury: Past injuries or trauma in the pelvic region may give rise to tight pelvic floor muscles.

3. Pelvic Floor And Core Muscle Imbalance

The pelvic floor cooperates with other core muscles such as the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and the muscles of the lower back. Cooperative function of all these muscles creates stability on the spine, supports posture, and protects against any form of injury.

But in a case where there is an imbalance between the pelvic floor muscles and other core muscles, it causes lower back pain. For instance, overactive pelvic floor muscles may cause the tightness in the lower back muscles due to imbalance caused by overly active pelvic floor muscles.

Underactive pelvic floor muscles: If the pelvic floor muscles are weak or underactive, the lower back muscles may take on more of the stabilizing role, leading to overuse and strain in the lower back.

The key to preventing or addressing lower back pain associated with pelvic floor dysfunction is the re-establishment of balance between the other core muscles and the pelvic floor. This can be achieved through pelvic floor physiotherapy as this treatment can promote strengthening as well as relaxation.

How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help

It is a very effective, non-invasive treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction with associated effects on lower back pain. A pelvic floor physiotherapist is trained to assess and treat both pelvic floor and core muscle imbalances that restore proper function and relieve pain.

1. Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening

For those with weakened pelvic floor muscles causing lower back pain, strengthening exercises can help reestablish support for the pelvis and spine. Pelvic floor physiotherapists, using specific exercises like Kegel exercises, can assist in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, thereby providing stability and minimizing strain on the lower back.

At Townline Physiotherapy in Abbotsford, our experienced physiotherapists work with patients to develop a strengthening program that is tailored to their specific needs. Strengthening the pelvic floor helps support the spine, improves posture, and reduces the risk of developing chronic lower back pain.

2. Pelvic Floor Relaxation Techniques

For those with tight pelvic floor muscles contributing to lower back pain, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help reduce muscle tension and improve flexibility. Manual therapy, myofascial release, and stretching exercises are used to relax the pelvic floor muscles, release tension, and restore normal function.

Relaxing the pelvic floor muscles can help relieve discomfort, improve mobility, and prevent lower back pain caused by tightness or misalignment of the pelvis.

3. Core Muscle Integration

Pelvic floor physiotherapists take a holistic approach to treating lower back pain by addressing the entire core, not just the pelvic floor. By improving the coordination between the pelvic floor muscles, abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and lower back muscles, physiotherapists can restore proper core function and reduce the risk of back pain.

We strengthen the core in a treatment and include stabilization exercises so that patients end up with an improvement in their posture, minimal strain on their lower back, and a better state of musculoskeletal health.

4. Correction of Posture and Movement

Pelvic floor physiotherapists also target the correction of postural imbalance and improper movement patterns that can contribute to back pain. Slouching over or having an exaggerated forward curvature of the lumbar spine can amplify the effects of pelvic floor dysfunction, which translates into lower back strain.

Educating patients in correcting posture and mechanics of movements will help the physiotherapist reduce potential back pain with a resultant effect of overall good function.

When to Seek Help

There are cases of pelvic floor dysfunction that would not show any improvement using conventional treatments. Persistent lower back pain might hint towards a pelvic floor dysfunction; it can significantly help provide relief for individuals who have not succeeded with other treatments for back pain.

Moreover, you should also see a pelvic floor physiotherapist if you have symptoms like:

• Chronic lower back pain that radiates to the hips or pelvis
• Difficulty maintaining good posture or balance
• Pain during sexual activity or difficulty with sexual function
• Urinary or bowel incontinence
• Pelvic or abdominal discomfort

Comprehensive pelvic floor physiotherapy services to manage and relieve lower back pain at Townline Physiotherapy in Abbotsford. Here to provide individualized care to get you out and enjoying life with reduced or no pain.

Connection of the pelvic floor to low back pain is often an unobserved yet significant aspect of musculoskeletal health. Weak or tight pelvic floor muscles can easily contribute to poor posture, misalignment, and heightened strain in the lower back area, thereby giving rise to chronic pain and discomfort. Thus, by managing the dysfunction in the pelvic floor, targeted physiotherapy would reduce lower back pain, correct poor posture, and improve the well-being of individuals.

Townline Physiotherapy in Abbotsford deals with the proper management of not only pelvic-floor-related problems but lower-back problems from the team's pool of effective physiotherapy professionals. From chronic pains in the lower back to cases of pelvic-floor dysfunction, this clinic will sort out all related problems to facilitate your recovery as long as is required to reinstate your excellent quality of life.

Contact us today for more information on how pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you overcome lower back pain and improve your health. 

 book an appointment :  https://townlinephysio.janeapp.com/

Phone:
604-755-5517 

Fax:
778-666-4446 

Business email:
townlinephysio@gmail.com

Operating Hours:
MON TO SAT : 08:30am - 6:30pm
Sunday Closed