The pelvis has an important role to play from enabling us to walk pain-free, to helping make space for babies to enter the world with ease.
1. IT’S A PROTECTOR!
The pelvis is the lower abdominal area in the body. It forms a basin to protect organs used for digestion and reproduction such as the bladder, uterus, and bowels and helps alignment of the body by supporting the hips joints.
2. YOUR PELVIS HAS A FLOOR!
At the bottom of the pelvis lies firm, flexible muscle called your pelvic floor. Exercises like Kegel’s and Pilates can help to keep it strong.
3. YOU NEED IT TO WALK!
The pelvis forms a strong foundation for the spinal cord and legs to attach themselves to. If you injure your pelvic bone or pelvic muscles, it can significantly affect how you walk, stand & sit.
4. PREGNANCY CHANGES THE PELVIS!
During pregnancy, the ovary and placenta secretes a hormone known as Relaxin to make space for the growing baby and soften & widen the cervix. In preparation for childbirth, Relaxin encourages the ligaments in the pelvis to loosen and relax. However, relaxin can cause ligaments to relax a bit too much, causing symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD); a painful syndrome that causes the pelvic joint to become weak and unstable. Seeing a Women’s Health Physiotherapist post-birth can significantly help.