Why does a pelvic health PT also care about gut health?

The gut and the pelvic floor are closely interconnected, and their relationship plays a crucial role in overall health and function.

1. Physical Connection: The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that form a supportive sling at the base of the pelvis. It helps support organs like the bladder, intestines, and uterus. The muscles of the pelvic floor attach to the lower part of the spine and the bones of the pelvis. Since the intestines and rectum are positioned above these muscles, the pelvic floor supports and helps control the functions of the lower digestive tract.

2. Function and Control: The pelvic floor muscles help control bowel movements. When these muscles are strong and functioning well, they can help maintain continence and support proper bowel function. Conversely, weakness or dysfunction in the pelvic floor can lead to issues like incontinence or difficulty with bowel movements.

3. Nerve Supply: Both the gut and pelvic floor share some of the same nerve pathways. The nerves that innervate the pelvic floor also influence the rectum and lower parts of the intestines. This means that nerve dysfunction or irritation in one area can potentially affect the other.

4. Pressure Dynamics: The abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity work together to manage intra-abdominal pressure. For instance, during activities like lifting, coughing, or sneezing, the pelvic floor muscles help to manage the increased pressure in the abdominal cavity to prevent unwanted leakage or prolapse. A healthy pelvic floor helps to stabilize this pressure, which is vital for proper gut function.

5. Digestive Health: Proper gut function impacts pelvic floor health and vice versa. Conditions like chronic constipation or diarrhea can place extra strain on the pelvic floor muscles, potentially leading to or exacerbating issues like pelvic floor dysfunction.

Overall, maintaining the health of both the gut and the pelvic floor is important for overall well-being. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, a balanced diet to support healthy digestion, and addressing any issues in either area can help ensure that both systems work harmoniously.

Some of my favorite ways to support my gut health include:

1. BeGIn Gut Primer (aka: my morning Gut Shot if you follow me on social media!) - this product has postbiotics and prebiotics, and fiber to support your gut microbiome. It's the best spot to start for foundational gut health.

2. Add in a probiotic - the gut primer mentioned above does not have a probiotic in it as these microorganisms are living and can easily be disrupted with changes in temperature and other environmental changes. There are some great natural ways to get probiotic in your diet through yogurt (check the ingredients list to make sure strains of bacteria are listed and not pasteurized out), kefir, kombucha, & sauerkraut. Though these are all great options many people do not like the taste or texture of these options, additionally they can be more difficult to incorporate into a daily routine depending on your schedule. If you prefer a supplement option for your busy and on the go lifestyle or for travel, I recommend the Balance Within Probiotic. In future blog posts I plan to discuss some of these food options and recipes I like for my family and home.

3. I personally find I have a hard time digesting certain foods more than others including lactose, foods higher in gluten, ultra processed foods on occasion, and foods heavier in fat content. I personally find keeping a Digestive Enzyme that I can take when eating out with friends or before a celebratory meal to be helpful to my gut and makes these harder to digest foods easier to break down.

4. Last but not least, if you are like me, you have a family and personal history and struggle with regular bowel movements. Not only is this uncomfortable and puts strain on your Pelvic Floor as noted above, but it also is a sign of a lack in fiber. I recommend staring with the BeGIn Gut Primer listed above and if you still are not regular with your bowel movements look to increase your fiber intake through your diet or adding it via supplementation. Fiber can be found in fruits and vegetables, especially in the skins of this produce and is also common in some grains. Here is a fiber supplement you can easily add in to any drink, smoothie, or dip to help you increase your daily fiber intake.

If you want to learn more about your gut health and ways to support it with holistic and healthy supplement options, this Discover article, is a great resource. Of course if you have any further questions or would like to discover what options may be available to you personally, I would love to hear from you. Please contact me to schedule a Wellness Consult and we can talk through a more personalized plan and options for you and your overall health & wellness goals.

Stay strong out there!

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Here is a photo of my Kefir - a probiotic option we have been using alongside our supplements for improved gut health for the whole family!