Fractured Back and Pelvic Floor: How Are The Two Related?
In a recent Instagram story, Brittany Mahomes shared that she had a fractured back and urged everyone to take care of their pelvic floor after having babies.
From this post, many people have raised the question of: What is the pelvic floor and what does it have to do with a fractured back?
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits in the bottom of the pelvis. These muscles span from the pubic bone to the tailbone and lower back. These muscles are responsible for supporting the pelvic organs, stabilizing our pelvis, keeping us from leaking urine and stool, and play a role in sexual intercourse as well. For more on the pelvic floor, click here.
How is the pelvic floor related to the back?
Research shows up to 90% of people that have low back pain have pelvic floor dysfunction. There are two ways that the pelvic floor is related to the back.
The pelvic floor muscles attach to the lowest portion of the spine. Therefore if there is tightness or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, it will directly affect how the lower back is functioning.
The pelvic floor is an extension of the core. We know that core strength plays a significant role in how our back is functioning, and in lower back pain. However since the core and pelvic floor are connected, pelvic floor function significantly affects lower back stability and strength.
What does your pelvic floor have to do with a fractured back?
While we can't say specifically what lead to Brittany Mahomes' fracture, we know that the pelvic floor is an extension of the core. Good core control goes hand in hand with good pelvic floor control. If the core isn't functioning well, neither is the pelvic floor, and this can lead to orthopedic issues like back pain, hip pain and pelvic girdle pain.
In addition, if the pelvic floor muscles and core are weak, this can put a lot of stress and extra effort on the back and back muscles, which can lead to injury and pain.
What can you do to protect your back?
Please don't ignore subtle low back pain, and pelvic floor symptoms (such as urinary incontinence, prolapse, constipation, and painful intercourse). These symptoms are a clue that your body isn't doing something it should. When you have symptoms (even minor!) your body will develop compensations which as time progresses are what leads to worse problems down the road.
In addition, working with a physical therapist to help you design a core strengthening program is crucial to ensure proper core and pelvic floor health.
Bottomline, don't ignore symptoms! If you are struggling with back pain or even minor pelvic floor concerns, don't delay on getting treatment- please reach out so we can help you!
