Pelvic Floor & Balance: They’re Related
When we think of balance problems, pelvic floor function is not the first thing that comes to mind. But the pelvic floor muscles actually play a huge role in balance and posture. These muscles are unique in the sense that they are under voluntary control (meaning you can contract and relax them similar to how you contract and relax your bicep muscles) and also under involuntary control. The involuntary part is a little complicated and relates to how these muscles help control our bowel and bladder functions, but it also means these are postural muscles, so they automatically respond to movement.
The pelvic floor muscles help keep us upright and moving, and they automatically activate if you trip, slip, or start to lose your balance. When these muscles aren’t performing well on these tasks, it can also mean they aren’t performing their other functions well, leading to things like urinary leakage or prolapse. Research has shown that women with stress urinary incontinence have decreased balance ability compared to women who do not have incontinence.
While it’s true that balance and strength start to progressively decline once we reach our 50s, balance problems aren’t just an older person issue. Balance problems can happen in young and older people. No matter your age, it’s important to assess and address any balance deficits to reduce the risk of falls later in life. Balance is also a concern for the pregnant and postpartum population. During pregnancy, the center of gravity changes and increases the risk of falling.
Have you ever tried standing on one leg, standing with your feet together like you’re walking a tightrope, or doing a backward lunge? CAUTION: do not try this at home and fall. But if you have tried it, how do you feel? Wobbly? Unstable? Your pelvic floor muscles are either working for you or against you in these situations.
The pelvic floor muscles do SO much! It’s really pretty amazing when you think about it. These muscles can be trained to work faster and more responsively when you move, helping with all things from preventing falls to improving performance at sports.
It’s often hard to know whether balance problems cause pelvic floor dysfunction or the other way around. Either way, if you are struggling with balance issues OR pelvic floor problems, it can be beneficial to get an assessment of both by a qualified pelvic health specialist. Both can often be improved with postural correction and training in pelvic floor muscle coordination and activation.
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