Sensing Private Pelvic Health Functions: Embodiment
Pelvic Health Awareness, Comfort and Control
Improving pelvic health often begins with a daunting obstacle: understanding pelvic anatomy, and sensing function. A mind-body connection is needed to allow us to recognize sensations and signals that optimally guide our behavior.
The mind-body-pelvic connection is often obscured by the complexity of pelvic anatomy, and cultural training to not talk about “private functions.” As a result, patients grappling with bladder leaks, urgency, frequency and pain, pelvic pain, prolapse and other intimate health challenges often find themselves with little to no awareness of what is happening or why. Pelvic function embodiment involves cultivating an understanding of how our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, habits, and lifestyle influence pelvic health.
Embodying Pelvic Health: Establishing a Mind-Body Connection
Central to pelvic health is the concept of pelvic function embodiment—a profound connection between mind and body. Awareness of the bladder, digestion, bowel functions, the presence of pain or discomfort, pelvic pressure, and intimate functions can be appreciated. Through mindfulness practices such as relaxed breathing and body-scanning, individuals can cultivate a deeper embodiment of their pelvic health. Awareness and insight can be developed in the mind-body connection in comfort or in pain. The influence of emotional and physical stress, poor sleep, nutrition triggers, hormone cycles and illnesses can show up as bladder urgency, indigestion, back, hip and pelvic pain, and more.
We learn to sense “signals” from the bladder and bowel as toddlers, to control, and perform toilet functions as needed. Yet as we carry on as school children to adults with busy schedules, we can disregard digestive issues, bladder and bowel problems, and even pain, as we perform our tasks and adventures. Over time injuries, infections, gut biome disruptions, pain and function loss may occur.
Demystifying Pelvic Anatomy and Function for Healing
By using all the known aspects of learning; visual, auditory, sensory-somatic-kinesthetic, healthcare providers can teach, guide, and train personal empowerment and self-care. The teaching and education tools for pelvic health on this platform are for global use by medical professionals, allied care providers, and the public who needs the care. These resources can help to reduce the stigma, shame, and suffering experienced by those with pelvic health challenges. By clicking below you will receive anatomy handouts and other content to use and share for health and healing. (This information is for education purposes, see your health care provider as needed for medical screening and treatment.)
Pelvic Embodiment in Action
In the pursuit of pelvic health, understanding anatomy is just the beginning. Pelvic function embodiment—the profound connection between mind and body—is the cornerstone of effective therapy. The educated patient can best navigate their medical care, and the educated health care provider can look at interrelated, “integrative” aspects of pelvic health and foster insight and embodiment in patients for patients in their care.
