Can Stress Affect Your Pelvic Floor?
Many people think of the pelvic floor as simply a group of muscles that help support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs.
What many don't realize is that the pelvic floor is also closely connected to the nervous system.
If you've ever noticed your shoulders tightening during a stressful day, your pelvic floor may respond in a similar way. Stress can contribute to pelvic floor tension, discomfort, and a variety of symptoms throughout the body.
What Is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis that support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. Like any other muscle group, the pelvic floor can tighten when the body is under stress.
How does stress show up in your body? You might think of a clenched jaw, tense shoulders, or headaches—but your pelvic floor can hold tension, too.
Can Stress Cause Pelvic Floor Tension?
Yes.
When the body is under prolonged stress, the pelvic floor muscles may remain partially contracted, breathing may become shallow, and the nervous system may stay in a heightened state of alert.
Over time, this can contribute to increased pelvic floor tension and difficulty fully relaxing the muscles.
Symptoms That May Be Related to Pelvic Floor Tension
When the pelvic floor muscles stay too tight or have difficulty relaxing, this is sometimes referred to as a hypertonic pelvic floor. A tight pelvic floor can show up in different ways for different people. Some examples are:
Urinary Symptoms
Urgency
Frequency
Feeling like you always need to go
Sexual Dysfunction
Difficulty relaxing pelvic floor muscles
Pelvic Pain
Vaginal pain
Rectal/Tailbone pain
Pressure or discomfort
Bowel Symptoms
Difficulty emptying
Constipation
Why “Just Relax” Isn’t Helpful
"Calm down."
"Just relax."
"Don't stress so much."
These are messages we (and outside influences who have good intentions) may be telling ourselves. Unfortunately, relaxing a tight pelvic floor isn't as simple as telling yourself to "just relax." Many times in life, stress is unavoidable. The goal is not simply to reduce all stress in your life.
At Chicago Mama Physical Therapy, we take a holistic approach to your care. One of the main components of our treatment model focuses on the nervous system. Building awareness of your body (and being realistic about your stress level), improving movement and muscle coordination, and supporting nervous system regulation can all help. Breathing, vagus nerve stimulation, mindfulness, stress management, sleep, and nutrition may also be part of what we discuss during our sessions.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
Pelvic floor therapy can help address muscle tension and coordination while incorporating breathing strategies and relaxation techniques into your plan of care. Manual therapy may also be used when appropriate.
At our clinic, treatment addresses the whole person, not just the pelvic floor muscles. That is the benefit of having full 1-hour appointments. We have time for movement/exercise recommendations, nervous system education, and strategies to help you cope.
When Should You Seek Help?
Consider seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist if you experience:
Constipation
Ongoing pelvic tension
Pain with intercourse
Pelvic pain
Urinary urgency or frequency
Symptoms that worsen during stressful periods
Stress affects much more than our thoughts and emotions—it can also influence how our bodies move, breathe, and hold tension.
For some individuals, that tension shows up in the pelvic floor. Understanding the connection between stress and pelvic floor health is often the first step toward finding relief.
Pelvic floor therapy can help address muscle tension, improve coordination, and support a healthier relationship between your nervous system and your body.
What to Expect at Chicago Mama Physical Therapy
Our goal is to empower you in your healing journey.
Here's what you can expect:
One-on-one, hour-long sessions
A private, tranquil treatment room
Consistent care with the same therapist each visit
A specialist trained in pelvic health and pregnancy/postpartum care
A whole-body treatment approach tailored to your goals
A nervous system focus: breathing, vagus nerve stimulation, mindfulness, sleep, etc.
A clear, supportive roadmap to help you succeed and meet your goals
How to Get Started
If pelvic pain, tension, bladder or bowel changes, or other symptoms are getting in the way of your everyday life, you don't have to figure out the cause on your own.
At Chicago Mama Physical Therapy, we'll look at what's happening with your pelvic floor as well as the bigger picture—including movement, breathing, and your nervous system—to help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Not sure if pelvic floor therapy is the right next step? Learn more about what to expect at your first pelvic floor physical therapy appointment, or start with a free discovery call.
To schedule a free discovery call, visit chicagomamapt.com/contact or call 312-554-5146.