The pelvic floor comprises tendons, ligaments, and muscles attached to the bottom of the pelvis and extends along the front of the pubic bone, around the sides of the hip bones, and to the lower back where the tailbone (coccyx) is located.
Additional muscles that are attached to the tailbone and pelvis include vaginal, anal, abdominal, gluteal, and hip muscles. This means that issues affecting the pelvic muscles can cause problems for other areas of the body, such as the lower back and hips. More specifically, when muscles or ligaments in the pelvis become weak, too tight, or damaged, this can lead to a condition known as pelvic floor dysfunction.
You may have weak and short, or long and tight muscles, or any combination therein, and the best way to determine their actual status is an exam by one of our pelvic health Physical Therapists.
In addition, 11 of the 12 pelvic floor muscles attach to the tailbone (coccyx); any trauma to the tailbone (during delivery of a baby or from a fall - even years prior) or high tone in the pelvic floor can alter the position of the coccyx, creating pelvic floor dysfunction. Therefore, the old adage “there is nothing we can do for your tailbone” is no longer true. A pelvic floor therapist can evaluate your pelvic floor and treat your tailbone injury.