I leak, so I must tighten my pelvic floor.

This is not so much of a question, as it is a statement that our PT's who specialize in pelvic floor often hear.

There are definitely times you need to work on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. Kegels are exercises for your pelvic floor.

When you have pain present, repetitive strain, recent delivery, lack of activity, orthopedic issues, or pathologies, you can have issues with your pelvic floor function. It's first important to learn what is your pelvic floor and what does it feel like to engage your pelvic floor correctly.

Much of the time the pelvic floor muscle is not "weak" it is facilitated or too tight. This can cause leaking to happen.

Often times if your pelvic floor is tight, it is an indicator that your nervous system is operating in a bit more of the "fight or flight" side of function. Your pelvic floor is the "pilot light" to your furnace. The furnace being your core stabilizers. If the pelvic floor isn't able to fire correctly than it's difficult for your core stabilizers to work. When this happens other muscles that have the responsibility to move your body take on the responsibility to stabilize. This creates compensations. Compensations lead to pain and fatigue.

Hopefully, you are seeing just a glimpse into why healthy pelvic floor function is so very important. We have not discussed issues with post delivery , pain with intercourse, and other topics related to pelvic floor.

If you have issues with pelvic floor function or pain, please seek out help from a practitioner that specializes in Pelvic Floor Health. Physical Therapists are a great place to start. Allow them to assess you and help guide you toward improved Pelvic Health.