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Trauma of any kind plays a substantial role in physical health and overall well-being.  Understanding the body and how daily habits influence the way it works can be a helpful tool in gaining control over pain and improving quality of life.
The autonomic nervous system exists in two states: either in a sympathetic nervous system state or parasympathetic nervous system. 
The
Once you get away from the vicious dog and start feeling safe, your

Figure 1: A diagram of the vagus nerve that controls parasympathetic nervous response.
Now, how does the autonomic nervous system relate to pelvic floor issues? 
If we are in a state of chronic stress, unresolved trauma, or in pain for longer than a couple months, the pelvic floor increases in tone leading to pain and other various conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, and fecal/urinary incontinence… just to name a few! For those who exhibit any pelvic floor issues, they tend to have difficulty relaxing their pelvic floor.  This may be due to lack of efficient coping strategies. To address pelvic floor issues, it is imperative for those suffering to gain the knowledge and strategies to regulate their own autonomic nervous system. 
How can this happen?
Quick anatomy lesson: With connections from both the phrenic nerve and the vagus nerve, the diaphragm has a function affecting respiratory function. It is also supported by the pelvic floor to control the pressure of intra-abdominal fluid properly. It is probably that these same areas, which are connected to the motor neurons of the floor of the mouth, send the premotor impulse to the pelvic floor.
Now, with that said, the easiest and quickest way to switch to a parasympathetic state is stretching your diaphragm with deep breathing. Humming, vibration, and/or electrical stimulation can also increase impulses, thus reducing pelvic symptoms.
Here are some exercises to help:

If you’re experiencing pelvic floor dysfunctions associated with the issues above, please 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
Works Cited:

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