.

Generally, pelvic floor muscles (like any other muscle group in the body) can have hypotonic or hypertonic tendencies. Our nervous system plays a major role in managing muscle tone. If a client is living in a constant state of anxiety and stress or they find sex stressful, it’s likely their pelvic floor muscles will have a difficult time coordinating with the system.  Regulating the pelvic floor will be especially difficult during sex.  

Here are 3 suggestions to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and give the pelvic floor the needed messaging to relax:

Diaphragmatic Breathing: As we inhale, the diaphragm pushes down into the system to create room for the lungs to expand. As the diaphragm relaxes down, the pelvic floor muscles adjust accordingly to the intra-abdominal pressure within the system, and these muscles “drop” and lengthen as well. As we exhale, the pressure leaves the body and both the diaphragm and pelvic floor muscles...

Our pelvic floor muscles form the base of our spine and deep core. They wear many hats:  bladder and bowel elimination, sexual activity, support and stability, pressure management, and shock absorption. I often refer to this group of muscles as Grand Central Station: there are a million convoluted routes to take! There is a TON going on down there. Not only are there about 16-20 muscles, but numerous ligaments, tendons, nerves, and fascial connections that help us complete ADLs/IADLs without the very embarrassing occurrence of urinary or bowel leakage and passing gas uncontrollably. Carter et al. (2015) found that a strong and coordinated pelvic floor leads to enhanced sexual function and higher levels of sexual activity. To me, this is reason enough to learn about the backstage crew. 

Let’s talk about what roles these pelvic floor muscles & organs play in our favorite occupation - sex!

Before we start, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty with a quick...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sam for my latest Teach Me Sex episode and it was a great one! Dr. Sam DuFlo PT, DPT, PRPC is a physical therapist as well as the owner and founder of Indigo Physiotherapy, based in Maryland.  She and her team of fellow healthcare workers including PTs, lactation consultants, Craniosacral therapists and bodywork therapists focus on pelvic health, pelvic physical therapy, prenatal and postpartum training, oncology and women’s/men’s/pediatric/transgender health concerns. You can learn more about Dr. Sam and Indigo Physiotherapy here!

Dr. Sam is passionate about the care she and her team provide. It was when she realized that she wanted a space where she can provide treatments that are more trauma aware, pleasing to the senses and not so much like the traditional healthcare settings (fluorescent lighting, sterile environment, etc.) that she set out to start Indigo...