Breath Mechanics: The Pelvic Floor's Role in Core Stability

Written By Danielle Bararuk

Written by Danielle Bararuk | Mar 12, 2019

Did you know that the way you breathe can be a contributing factor to conditions such as pelvic prolapse, urinary incontinence, and rectus diastasis? Breathing patterns have an effect on our inner core muscles – including the diaphragm, pelvic floor, multifidus and transverse abdominus –and can affect the balance of our internal pressure systems. This can lead to an increase in unwanted symptoms such as urinary leakage.

Let’s start at the bottom. At the bottom of our inner core is the pelvic floor, which provides support and works with the other muscles, such as the diaphragm to provide stability. We use our diaphragm to breath in subconsciously without thinking about it or consciously take control and change our breathing patterns. When we inhale the diaphragm descends and our tummy presses out away from its resting position. This influences the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles to lengthen and elastically load while providing pressure within the system. As we exhale, the diaphragm lifts back up and the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles recoil and lift, creating an interchange of pressure. This pressure within the system and the interchange of pressures is what provides good core stability and an optimal core strategy during movements such as squatting to lift up a baby’s car seat.

When we assess core stability we do this by looking at breathing mechanics. When doing physical tasks many people attempt to stabilize by holding their breath. This causes an increase of pressure on the system and contributes to problems such as pelvic prolapse, urinary incontinence, and rectus diastasis.

Are you a visual learner? Then you might find this video helpful for understanding how breath mechanics work with our pelvic floor. Click here to watch the video

Physiotherapy can help teach breathing patterns and provide you with strategies to improve postural alignment that will help your body use the inner core optimally during activities. With practice these techniques will become a habit for your brain and core.

 

Danielle Bararuk

Physiotherapist

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist

Paediatric Physiotherapist

 
Danielle Bararuk

Danielle Bararuk strongly believes that physiotherapy is both a proactive and reactive profession. She is passionate that it is not only her goal to get someone well after injury but to empower patients’ to take control of their recovery and to stay well.

Danielle completed her Bachelor of Physical Therapy at the University of Saskatchewan in 2008. Danielle started her career in the private practice setting treating Musculoskeletal injures and became fascinated with the biomechanics and the complexity of the human body. She has spent her time over the past ten years gaining experience treating all ages and all types of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Her aim is to reestablish appropriate movement patterns, improve function and reduce the likelihood of re-injury. She always uses an individualized treatment approach that incorporates manual therapy, exercise prescription and patient education. Danielle believes that by listening to her patients and having them be an active component in their own rehab, she can provide them with the correct treatment and education to empower them to reach their treatment goals.

Danielle has completed additional education courses in orthopaedic manual therapy, myofascial release and pelvic floor physiotherapy. Danielle has a special interest in pediatric physiotherapy and is excited to be adding additional pediatric educational courses in the near future!

Danielle believes in leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle and the importance of spending quality time with her family and friends. She enjoys physical activity daily with her three young children and you can usually find her out walking, running or biking on a trail with them. Life is full of adventure and wonderful experiences and Danielle aims to help you return to the ones that are most important to you!

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