The pelvic floor is often overlooked and misunderstood during movement assessment. The pelvic floor is integral to both breath and movement. This is good news, as it allows us to use movement to assess the pelvic floor. This is important because of the sensitivity of the pelvic structure. More invasive approaches like direct palpation of the pelvic floor compromises safety of both practitioner and client. Starting with movement assessment builds safety in the nervous system. In addition, movement assessment also allows pelvic floor assessment to be accessible to practitioners where direct contact with the pelvic floor is out of their scope of practice.
There are a few principles of movement assessment to consider with pelvic floor assessment. These include functional assessment, the biomechanics involved, and how to keep the container safe. Differentiating how the nervous system is responding from structural response becomes the foundation of functional assessment. Next, we need a clear understanding of the biomechanics involved. Because the pelvic floor is fundamental to the breathing apparatus, the pelvic floor is virtually participating in every possible movement. And perhaps most important, how we keep the container safe. The pelvic floor is a sensitive, limbically driven, aspect of our structure, and we must use caution so that we do not overstimulate the nervous system.
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Thank you for this paper. I am a senior yoga teacher who has worked for many years in the UK as a yoga therapist with special interest in pre-postnatal-perimenopausal optimal core through the physiological changes of the reproductive cycle. Your paper confirms all my practices with yoga breathing and simple isotonic pressure of hands and feet combined. I would like to make contact with you and attend your workshops when possible. It is the first time I read something that illuminates
my practice (and its positive outcomes) in the mass of approaches to PF out there, thanks.