Is your pelvic floor too tight? Too weak? If you've been asking yourself that question, you're not alone, and here's the thing: for most people, that's actually the wrong question.

The real issue usually isn't strength or tension in isolation. It's coordination and range of motion. AND looking at the full human - nutrition, lifestyle, stressors, etc.

Research supports what pelvic health clinicians see every day: what matters most is the ability to control muscle activity so that muscles not specifically required for a task are quiet, and those that are required fire at the minimal level needed to get the job done. In other words, your pelvic floor isn't supposed to be "on" all the time and it's not supposed to be disengaged all the time either. It needs to move fluidly between the two.

Your pelvic floor has a big job description.

It works as part of a team - alongside your deep core, your respiratory diaphragm, and your urinary and gastrointestinal systems. And here's what's remarkable: research has shown that pelvic floor muscle activity actually increases in advance of other muscle movement, as part of the body's pre-programmed anticipatory response. That means a healthy pelvic floor should be working before you even think about it. It's reflexive. We don't NEED to be thinking about our pelvic floors all of the time.

Specifically, your pelvic floor needs to:

• Anticipate: managing pressure, breath, and movement before they happen
• Respond reflexively: controlling bladder and bowel function automatically, external and internal demands of your bosy (like lifting weights or a toddler)
• Respond to your body's signals: supporting arousal, intimacy, and sexual function without conscious effort

When pelvic health challenges show up, it's often a sign that this automatic, coordinated system has gone offline. The good news? That's something we can work on together.

Think of it like a house with three floors.

You should be living on the main floor most of the time. The attic (too much tension) and the basement (too much bearing down) are places you visit only when you need to - not places you live.

If you're chronically holding tension, your pelvic floor never gets the relaxation it needs to function well. If you're habitually bearing down, getting back up to neutral becomes its own challenge. Neither extreme is where you want to live.

So how do you know where you're spending most of your time?

Start by checking in with your habits:

• Are you constantly gripping your glutes, even when you're just standing or sitting?
• Do you hold your breath during physical effort?
• Are you "power peeing" - bearing down to speed things up?
• Do you strain with bowel movements?

These are signals worth paying attention to. And the next step is getting to know your own body. I guide my clients through a pelvic floor self-exam because this is your body, and you deserve to understand it and what it needs.

You don't have to keep guessing. Whether you're dealing with leakage, pelvic pain, pressure, or just a nagging sense that something is "off," there's a path forward and it starts with one conversation.

​Schedule a free discovery call and let's talk through what support looks like for you.

[If you're looking for birth education + prenatal exercise + postpartum support - keep scrolling down for a summer deal]
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With peace and love,

Dr. Ellyn Halley, DC, Doula, Coach
​Doc Halley Solutions​

Follow me on Instagram + TikTok for more content - ellynhalley.dc

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In person chiropractic care! You can find me at 1500 Green Bay St, La Crosse WI 54601 within the same space as the Parenting Place and The Motus Project. I am excited to offer in person care to women in the Coulee Region, and offer hybrid care - in person + online. You can book your first appointment or schedule a consult below!

If you're looking for an "all in one" program that includes a prenatal exercise program, birth education, pelvic prep + mobility, nutrition information, and more - combined with regular support + check ins - I have you covered. Check out my Empowered Pregnancy program for incredible prenatal support. SUMMER SALE - $50 off with code EMPOSUMMER

Looking for more support around exercise, pelvic health, and nutrition (and birth prep if you're pregnant!)? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me:

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**Disclaimer: The content in this email is not intended to be medical advice. The content here is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.