What if what we actually needed to do was to cue for LESS tension?
Often times with pelvic floor symptoms, we may focus on cueing to contract the pelvic floor, to INCREASE the tension. Sometimes this works and often it doesn’t.
Do we check to see if the cues and strategies we are using are actually working for the person in front of you? And if we don’t check, how do we know that it’s actually helpful?
#testretest
And if your cueing isn’t working, what do you do? Do you tell them to keep working on it anyway? Do you try another cue to add tension elsewhere such as TA? Or do you try to incorporate an exhale?
What if the issue is that they already OVER-recruit relative to the demands of the task at hand?
Our pelvic floors need to be dynamic and responsive. They need to provide adequate support – not too little, but also not too much #goldilocksprinciple
The strategy matters because #tensiontotask matters.
Your pelvic floor may indeed need more tension but it might also need less. Check if the cues you are using are actually working and if they aren’t then #dosomethingdifferent
If you are a PT or coach working with women and you aren’t sure how to do this, let’s chat. Or better yet, come on a @physiodetective course such as The Female Athlete Level 1, 2 and Masterclass that I act as a Senior Teaching Assistant for, or come on my TIIPPSS-FC course with @reframerehab where we cover tension amongst many other factors that can optimize how we approach pain, pelvic symptoms of leaking and prolapse, and performance concerns.
If you are someone dealing with pain or pelvic floor issues , I’m here to help. Send me a DM or come and see me in clinic @rxphysio
Originally posted April 30, 2019 at Teresa Waser – RX Physio (@rxphysio) • Instagram photos and videos
#pelvichealth #pelvicfloor #pelvicorganprolapse #stressurinaryincontinence #incontinence #leaking #postpartumfitness #womenwholift #fitmoms #crossfitmoms #femaleathletes #physioswholift #physiotherapy #rxphysiotherapy #physiosincrossfit