When you think about pelvic floor health, your rib cage probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But during pelvic floor physical therapy, you may notice your therapist assessing your breathing, posture, or even how well your ribs move.
Your diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and pelvic floor work together as a pressure-management system, and your rib cage plays an important role in allowing that system to move efficiently.
Your Diaphragm and Pelvic Floor Are Teammates
Your diaphragm is your primary breathing muscle and sits underneath your rib cage.When you inhale, your diaphragm descends as your rib cage expands. At the same time, your pelvic floor naturally lengthens and lowers slightly.When you exhale, your diaphragm rises and the pelvic floor naturally recoils.
They aren’t doing identical movements, but they are designed to work together.
What Happens When Your Rib Cage Doesn’t Move Well?
Ideally, your ribs should be able to expand in multiple directions when you breathe not just forward into your chest or belly.If your rib cage is stiff or your breathing pattern is limited, your diaphragm may not move as efficiently.
You might notice:
- Shallow breathing
- Excessive upper-chest breathing
- Constant abdominal gripping
- Difficulty expanding your lower ribs
- Poor coordination between breathing and movement
- Increased straining or breath-holding during exercise
These patterns can change how pressure is managed through your abdomen and pelvic floor.
Pressure Has to Go Somewhere
Think about what happens when you cough, sneeze, lift something heavy, stand from a chair, or exercise. Pressure inside your abdomen increases. Your diaphragm, abdominal wall, and pelvic floor should coordinate to manage that pressure.
If you’re constantly holding your breath, gripping your abdomen, or unable to expand your rib cage well, pressure may not be distributed as efficiently.
For someone experiencing symptoms such as urinary leakage, pelvic heaviness, constipation, or pelvic pain, breathing and pressure-management strategies may therefore be an important part of treatment.
Posture Matters Too
Your rib cage sits above your pelvis. If your ribs are constantly flared forward, your upper back is very stiff, or your rib cage and pelvis aren’t moving well together, it can change the way your core and pelvic floor muscles function during movement.
This doesn’t mean there’s one “perfect posture” you need to maintain all day.The goal is movement and adaptability your body should be able to move in and out of different positions.
Why is your PT Working on Your Mid-Back During Pelvic Floor PT?
This is why your pelvic floor session might include things that don’t immediately look like pelvic floor treatment.
Your therapist may work on:
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Rib cage mobility
- Thoracic mobility
- Postural awareness
- Core coordination
- Pressure management during exercise
Improving movement through the rib cage and trunk can help your diaphragm, core, and pelvic floor coordinate more effectively.
Looking to optimize your well being with pelvic floor physical therapy? Reach out to us at Pelvic Health Center in Madison, NJ to set up an evaluation and treatment! Feel free to call us at 908-443-9880 or email us at [email protected]