153 Low Back Pain and Pelvic Floor

03/03/22 • 16 min

Low back pain is a bummer. And it can be super frustrating when the normal treatments of stretching and heat only provide a little bit of relief.

But did you know that low back pain could also be related to your pelvic floor?

Pelvic floor dysfunction is often only mentioned in the context of women after childbirth - but everyone has muscles at the base of the pelvis that help form core and spinal stability.

And if you’ve been pushing through back pain but haven’t explored what’s going on in your pelvis? Today’s episode is for you.

(PS. if you are struggling with back pain, make sure to also listen to last week’s episode, #152, for the relationship between tight hip flexors and low back pain)

You’ll learn:

Why your low back pain might be related to your pelvic floor
The anatomy of the pelvic floor
Why working on the muscles of the hip and pelvis can help your low back feel better

All the links:

The Role of the Obturator Internus Muscle in Pelvic Floor Function ( Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy)
Association between lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in women: A cross sectional study (Musculoskeletal Science and Practice)
Low Back Pain and Pelvic Floor Disorders (Physiopedia)
Assessment of pelvic floor muscle function in women with and without low back pain using transabdominal ultrasound (Manual Therapy)
How to Find Neutral Pelvis and Spine (AE Wellness YouTube)
Glute and Hamstring Warmup (AE Wellness YouTube)
30 days to more strength + flexibility with the Mobility Mastery Toolkit
Movement Mavens has the tools and strategy to support you on your path to enjoying life without pain - www.aewellness.com/mavens
www.aewellness.com/podcast - Show notes, links and more.
Join the free Body Nerds FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aewbodynerds/
Come hang out with me on Instagram @hollaformala : https://instagram.com/hollaformala/
TikTok @ aewellness
Bodywork Starter Guide - learn the 6 places you need to roll right now for quick relief, plus the reason why what you’ve tried so far has only given you a temporary fix. Download the guide for free now at www.aewellness.com/bodywork
818-396-6501 is the Body Nerd Hotline - how do you build consistency and/or where are you getting stuck? Drop me a line and let me know your body nerd hacks - you might just hear your voice on a future episode!

Today’s episode is brought to you the Brain in Pain Workshop. Join me and licensed therapist Natalie Moore on Saturday, March 19th at 9:30 am PT to learn the science of why we get stuck in the pain cycle and a step-by-step practice to get out of it. Plus, you’ll save $15 off your registration when you use code “BODYNERD” at www.aewellness.com/braininpain/

Low back pain is a bummer. And it can be super frustrating when the normal treatments of stretching and heat only provide a little bit of relief.

But did you know that low back pain could also be related to your pelvic floor?

Pelvic floor dysfunction is often only mentioned in the context of women after childbirth - but everyone has muscles at the base of the pelvis that help form core and spinal stability.

And if you’ve been pushing through back pain but haven’t explored what’s going on in your pelvis? Today’s episode is for you.

(PS. if you are struggling with back pain, make sure to also listen to last week’s episode, #152, for the relationship between tight hip flexors and low back pain)

You’ll learn:

Why your low back pain might be related to your pelvic floor
The anatomy of the pelvic floor
Why working on the muscles of the hip and pelvis can help your low back feel better

All the links:

The Role of the Obturator Internus Muscle in Pelvic Floor Function ( Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy)
Association between lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in women: A cross sectional study (Musculoskeletal Science and Practice)
Low Back Pain and Pelvic Floor Disorders (Physiopedia)
Assessment of pelvic floor muscle function in women with and without low back pain using transabdominal ultrasound (Manual Therapy)
How to Find Neutral Pelvis and Spine (AE Wellness YouTube)
Glute and Hamstring Warmup (AE Wellness YouTube)
30 days to more strength + flexibility with the Mobility Mastery Toolkit
Movement Mavens has the tools and strategy to support you on your path to enjoying life without pain - www.aewellness.com/mavens
www.aewellness.com/podcast - Show notes, links and more.
Join the free Body Nerds FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aewbodynerds/
Come hang out with me on Instagram @hollaformala : https://instagram.com/hollaformala/
TikTok @ aewellness
Bodywork Starter Guide - learn the 6 places you need to roll right now for quick relief, plus the reason why what you’ve tried so far has only given you a temporary fix. Download the guide for free now at www.aewellness.com/bodywork
818-396-6501 is the Body Nerd Hotline - how do you build consistency and/or where are you getting stuck? Drop me a line and let me know your body nerd hacks - you might just hear your voice on a future episode!

Previous Episode

152 Hip Flexors and Back Pain

8 out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. I know I’ve been there!

But just because your low back hurts doesn’t mean you should be focusing all of your mobility efforts there.

Everything in the body is connected - which also means that any of the muscles or tissues in and around your lower back could be contributing to pain.

In this episode, we’re focusing on the relationship between tight hip flexors and low back pain, specifically with a muscle called the psoas (so-as).

So if you have both low back pain and tight hip flexors, this one is for you!

You’ll learn:

All things low back pain
How your hip flexors might be the cause
And how to improve hip and low back flexibility and strength

All the links:

Hip CARs - Improve Hip Mobility (AE Wellness YouTube)
Video: How to Hip Hinge Properly (AE Wellness YouTube)
30 days to more strength + flexibility with the Mobility Mastery Toolkit
Movement Mavens has the tools and strategy to support you on your path to enjoying life without pain - www.aewellness.com/mavens
www.aewellness.com/podcast - Show notes, links and more.
Join the free Body Nerds FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aewbodynerds/
Come hang out with me on Instagram @hollaformala : https://instagram.com/hollaformala/
TikTok @ aewellness
Bodywork Starter Guide - learn the 6 places you need to roll right now for quick relief, plus the reason why what you’ve tried so far has only given you a temporary fix. Download the guide for free now at www.aewellness.com/bodywork
818-396-6501 is the Body Nerd Hotline - how do you build consistency and/or where are you getting stuck? Drop me a line and let me know your body nerd hacks - you might just hear your voice on a future episode!

Next Episode

154 Kettlebell Beginner Basics with Damali Fraiser

What are your thoughts on kettlebells? Yay or nay?

I get it - kettlebells can be intimidating. Are you supposed to swing it around? Are they super duper heavy? How do you even use them?

Which is why I’m so excited to be joined today by kettlebell coach Damali Fraiser.

Damali teaches safe evidence-based kettlebell training, body positive fitness and sustainable nutrition that supports you in starting wherever you are and confidently moving forward to where you want to be.

And, as I found out during our conversation, she is a total body nerd, so we definitely get along 🤗

If you’ve been kettlebell curious or are looking for a way to change up your strength training (and want to be safe while you do it) - then today’s episode is for you.

You’ll learn: