August Pelvic Health Updates
Pelvic Health Tip of the Month
I’ve been thinking a lot about the psoas/diaphragm connection and its relationship to pelvic health this month.
Did you know that the psoas muscle is basically continuous with the diaphragm?
The diaphragm is basically a dome-like structure, but it has these crura (my favorite word!) (yes, same word to describe the leggy internal part of the clitoris!)(and penis!) that dangle off like little wishbone tentacles.
The psoas connects to these crura via fascial connections like the median arcuate ligament.
If you have a connective tissue disorder, you may have heard of this ligament through the diagnosis Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. MALS happens when this median arcuate ligament compresses the artery that vascularizes that upper digestive tract and stomach. Symptoms of MALs include intense stomach pain and nausea after eating and exercising. Folks with connective tissue disorders are at risk of developing MALs because of laxity in the integrity of these structures.
But I’m curious if becoming more aware of this connection between the diaphragm and psoas could do anything? Biomechanics wouldn’t be able to fix MALs, but it could certainly support symptoms.
So how do we be mindful of this diaphragm/psoas/pelvic floor connection?
True diaphragmatic breathing, focusing on side and back rib cage expansion
Ongoing work on rib cage and pelvis alignment through deep core stabilization, gentle rib cage mobility, and psoas mobility
Stability of the rest of the hip complex so the psoas doesn’t have to take over for weak glutes
Our body always works as a coordinated system, and building adequate space and stability for our digestive organs, veins, and nerves is always a good idea from a preventative health perspective.
