A Common Problem, Rarely Discussed
Pelvic floor dysfunction is remarkably common — yet many women live with symptoms for years without realizing they are treatable. Research suggests that up to one in three women will experience some form of pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime, yet the majority never seek treatment.
The reasons are complex. There is stigma around discussing incontinence and pelvic health. There is a widespread misconception that these issues are a normal, inevitable part of aging or motherhood. And many women simply don't know that effective, non-invasive treatment options exist.
Here are five signs that your pelvic floor may need professional attention — and what you can do about it.
1. Leakage When You Laugh, Cough, or Exercise
Stress urinary incontinence — leaking urine during physical exertion, laughing, sneezing, or coughing — is the most common sign of pelvic floor weakness. It occurs when the pelvic floor muscles cannot generate enough force to keep the urethra closed against sudden increases in abdominal pressure.
This is not a normal part of aging. It is not an inevitable consequence of childbirth. It is a treatable muscular deficit, and in many cases, it responds well to targeted pelvic floor strengthening.
2. Urgency or Frequent Trips to the Bathroom
If you frequently feel a sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate — or if you find yourself going to the bathroom far more often than seems reasonable — this may indicate pelvic floor dysfunction. Urge incontinence involves the involuntary contraction of the bladder muscle, often related to poor coordination between the pelvic floor and the bladder.
Pelvic floor therapy can help retrain this coordination, reducing both the frequency and urgency of bathroom visits and restoring a sense of control.
3. Lower Back or Hip Pain Without Clear Cause
The pelvic floor is a key component of the deep core system — working in concert with the diaphragm, transverse abdominis, and multifidus to stabilize the spine and pelvis. When the pelvic floor is weak or dysfunctional, the other muscles in this system must compensate, often leading to chronic lower back pain, hip pain, or a general sense of core instability.
If you experience persistent lower back or hip pain that does not respond to stretching, massage, or conventional physical therapy, pelvic floor weakness may be a contributing factor worth investigating.
4. A Sensation of Heaviness or Pressure in the Pelvis
A feeling of heaviness, fullness, or pressure in the pelvic region — sometimes described as a sensation of something "falling" — can indicate pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, or rectum) descend from their normal position due to weakened pelvic floor support.
Early-stage prolapse is often manageable with pelvic floor strengthening. The EMShape Pelvic Chair is particularly effective for this because it delivers thousands of supramaximal contractions that rebuild the muscular support structure beneath the pelvic organs.
5. Difficulty Engaging Your Core During Exercise
If you struggle to feel your deep core engage during exercise — if planks feel unstable, if crunches feel like they are happening only in your neck, or if you cannot seem to generate meaningful core tension — your pelvic floor may be the missing link.
True core engagement begins with the pelvic floor. Without a strong, coordinated pelvic floor, the deep core canister cannot pressurize properly, and the superficial abdominal muscles are left to compensate in ways that produce strain without strength.
At LMG Artistry, pelvic floor therapy is not just about incontinence. It is about restoring the foundation of your core — the platform from which all movement, stability, and strength originate. If any of these signs resonate with you, a complimentary consultation is the first step toward understanding your options.
