The Pelvic Floor — Just Like Any Other Muscle Group
When we think about muscle health and dysfunction, most of us imagine tight shoulders, sore backs, aching legs, or weak cores. We stretch, we strengthen, we get massages, acupuncture, or other treatments—and we talk openly about it. But there’s one critical group of muscles that tends to get left out of the conversation: the pelvic floor.
Here’s the thing, the muscles of the pelvic floor are just like any other muscle group in the body. They can become weak, tight, overstretched, or uncoordinated. And when they do, they cause real, tangible problems—ones that can absolutely be treated. Yet because of embarrassment or stigma, so many people suffer in silence, not realizing that they don’t have to.
Let’s start with what the pelvic floor actually is. Picture a hammock made of muscle and connective tissue that stretches from your pubic bone to your tailbone. This supportive structure holds up important organs like the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. Just like your biceps contract to lift, your pelvic floor muscles contract and relax to support continence, sexual function, and core stability. They’re vital to movement, posture, digestion, and more. They’re not mysterious—they’re anatomy.
Now, imagine if we treated other muscles the way we treat the pelvic floor. Would we ever say, “I’m too embarrassed to ask for help with this hamstring injury”? Never. But because the pelvic floor is located in a more intimate area of the body, people often carry shame or fear around even bringing it up. This discomfort can delay care for years—or a lifetime. And yet, pelvic floor dysfunction is incredibly common. It affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Some signs that your pelvic floor might need attention include:
Leaking urine when you sneeze, laugh, or jump
Frequent bathroom trips or urgency
Constipation or painful bowel movements
Pain during sex or difficulty with arousal
Lower back, hip, or pelvic pain that doesn’t respond to traditional treatment
A heavy or dragging feeling in the pelvic area
None of these symptoms are “just part of getting older” or “something women deal with after childbirth.” They’re signs that the muscles of the pelvic floor—just like any other muscles—aren’t working optimally. And that means they can be supported, trained, and treated to restore function.
As an acupuncturist, I see this so often—patients come in with unresolved hip pain, low back pain, or digestive issues, and the root cause lies deeper than they realize. When the pelvic floor is addressed, often with a combination of acupuncture, myofascial release, electrical stimulation, breathwork, or referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist, people experience profound relief.
But first, we have to move past the shame.
There is absolutely nothing “weird” about asking for help with pelvic floor issues. In fact, it’s an act of courage and self-care. Just like we don’t judge someone for getting treatment for a torn rotator cuff, we should normalize and support people who seek help for prolapse, incontinence, or pelvic pain.
It’s also important to note that pelvic floor dysfunction isn’t just a “female problem.” Men can also experience symptoms—especially post-prostate surgery, after trauma, or with chronic stress. Again, this is a muscle group. It doesn’t care about your gender—it just needs care and attention like any other part of your body.
So, how do we move forward? Education is step one. The more we understand our anatomy, the less power shame holds over us. Talking about pelvic floor health—openly and without awkwardness—helps others feel less alone. Seeking treatment isn’t admitting failure or weakness; it’s reclaiming function and dignity.
If you or someone you know is dealing with any of the symptoms above, know that help is available. Whether it’s through acupuncture, physical therapy, breath and posture work, or simple lifestyle adjustments, these issues are treatable. You deserve support, and your pelvic floor deserves attention, just like every other hard working muscle in your body.
Let’s stop whispering about pelvic floor health and start treating it like what it is: a vital part of our physical wellness that deserves respect, understanding, and proper care.
