The Surprising Connection Between the Pelvic Floor and Myofunctional Therapy
When you think of myofunctional therapy, your mind likely gravitates toward oral health—tongue posture, breathing patterns, and chewing functions. But did you know that myofunctional therapy has a deeper connection to other parts of the body, including the pelvic floor? At first glance, the jaw and the pelvis might seem like distant relatives in the body’s musculoskeletal family, but their intricate interplay reveals a fascinating dynamic worth exploring.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that span the bottom of the pelvis, supporting the bladder, intestines, and, in women, the uterus. These muscles play a crucial role in maintaining posture, controlling elimination, and even influencing core stability. Dysfunction in the pelvic floor can lead to a variety of issues, including incontinence, pelvic pain, and difficulty with physical movement.
The Myofascial Connection
The human body operates as an interconnected system, and the fascia—a network of connective tissue—acts as a bridge between seemingly unrelated areas. The fascial system connects the jaw to the pelvis through a series of muscular and fascial chains. For example, the deep front line, a fascial pathway described in anatomy, links the tongue, diaphragm, and pelvic floor. This means dysfunction in one area can ripple through the entire chain, potentially leading to compensatory patterns and strain.
How Breathing Plays a Role
Breathing mechanics are central to both myofunctional therapy and pelvic floor health. Proper diaphragmatic breathing creates a synchronized movement between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts downward, and the pelvic floor slightly relaxes. On the exhale, both the diaphragm and the pelvic floor return to their resting positions. Dysfunctional breathing patterns—such as shallow chest breathing or mouth breathing—can disrupt this balance, leading to increased tension or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles.
Posture and Alignment
Poor posture can have cascading effects on the body, including both the jaw and the pelvis. Forward head posture, for example, alters the alignment of the cervical spine and can strain the muscles connected to the jaw. Similarly, misalignment in the pelvis affects the lumbar spine and can impact the fascial connections leading to the jaw. By addressing posture holistically, myofunctional therapy can help restore balance and alleviate strain along the entire body.
Myofunctional Therapy’s Role
Myofunctional therapy focuses on optimizing tongue posture, nasal breathing, and oral habits. These changes can have surprising downstream effects:
Improved Breathing Patterns: Encouraging proper nasal breathing supports diaphragmatic function, which in turn positively influences the pelvic floor.
Fascial Tension Release: Exercises targeting the tongue and jaw can reduce tension in the fascial chains, promoting better alignment and function throughout the body.
Postural Support: Aligning the tongue and jaw can indirectly improve overall posture, benefiting the core and pelvic alignment.
Collaborative Care
For individuals with both pelvic floor dysfunction and orofacial concerns, a multidisciplinary approach is often the most effective. Collaboration between myofunctional therapists, physical therapists specializing in the pelvic floor, and other healthcare providers ensures a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the root causes of dysfunction.
Takeaway
The connection between the pelvic floor and myofunctional therapy highlights the incredible interconnectivity of the human body. By addressing breathing, posture, and functional habits, myofunctional therapy offers benefits that extend far beyond the mouth. If you’re experiencing issues related to posture, breathing, or pelvic floor health, exploring this holistic approach could be the key to unlocking better overall function and well-being.
If you’d like to learn more about how myofunctional therapy can benefit your entire body, contact us today to schedule a consultation!
