Kierstin Elliott, Pilates Rehab Specialist Exercise: Plank Set Up: Start on all fours with the shoulders stacked on top of wrists, lats engaged, collar bones broad, and chin slightly tucked to create length through the back of the neck. Execution: Inhale to prep, exhale to extend one leg at a time back into a full plank position. Abs and glutes engage while nothing in the upper body shifts. Create a sense of length from the crown of the head through the heels. Hold anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute maintaining proper form. Focus: Three key focal points when performing a plank: 1. Be sure to not sink into the shoulders. Push away from the mat, broaden collar bones, engage lats and serratus (your side body), and keep the back of the neck lengthened. The upper back should be flat, not rounded. 2. Support the lower back. Abdominal engagement is critical in this exercise and includes knitting ribs together, drawing navel to spine, and creating a hollowed out feeling in the lower abdomen in order to achieve optimum support for the lower back. 3. Create a sense of length. Constant energy reaching through the crown of the head to the heels will give you a sense of lift making the plank feel lighter. P.S. Don’t grip the glutes, but engage them slightly for more support. Importance: Planks are a killer full body exercise. Everything has to be on, including the brain, in order to execute this exercise correctly. Planks allow you to target shoulder stability, core strength in its entirety, and mental/physical endurance. Modifications: To modify, keep knees under the hips, tuck the toes and hover knees off the mat. Focus on the same cues for full plank. To add a challenge, well… the options are endless! Try adding alternating leg lifts, mountain climbers, or walk down to forearms and back up to hands without shifting hips side to side.
Pilates with Kierstin: The Plank
—FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Pelvic Floor Disorders and Treatment
What is pelvic floor dysfunction and why does it happen?
Pelvic floor dysfunction is extremely common and occurs when the muscles, tissues, or nerves of the pelvic floor are weakened, tightened, or injured by trauma, chronic strain, or overuse. Pelvic floor disorders can result from traumatic injury such as a fall, from sporting activity, surgery, or childbirth. They can also happen from more chronic issues, such as infection or chronic inflammation such as endometriosis. Pelvic floor disorders can be a consequence of poor alignment or posture, overuse, or improper movement. The pelvic floor muscles surround the urethra, rectum, vagina and prostate; therefore, if there is a dysfunction in these muscles it can result in urinary, bowel, or sexual dysfunction in people of all ages.
Who should I see to get a proper diagnosis?
Many healthcare providers don’t assess – or don’t know how to assess – the pelvic floor muscles and nerves, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a practitioner who specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic pain. Too often patients tell us that they’ve been to 10 different doctors and healthcare providers and their symptoms have not improved, or have worsened. Find a specialist right away and get on the path to healing as quickly as possible.
Why do healthcare providers miss (or misdiagnose) pelvic floor dysfunction?
Long story short, the medical practice is divided into areas of the body: Urology. Orthopedics. Gynecology. But the body itself doesn’t have walls; every system interacts with everything else. Sometimes providers are so laser-focused on what they treat that they miss the whole picture.
As more and more research emphasizes the importance of physical therapy as part of a complete treatment regimen, more and more physicians are learning how to recognize and treat pelvic floor disorder. In the meantime, if you’re not getting relief from your current treatment, make an appointment with a pelvic floor specialist to learn more.
How does pelvic floor dysfunction affect sex?
Pelvic floor muscles have a huge impact on sex. Muscles that are shortened or tight and are unable to elongate will not allow for good blood flow into the genitals. This can result in pain, weaker erections, diminished sensation, inability to orgasm, and even decreased lubrication. Pelvic floor PT can help with these issues by enhancing blood flow and improving muscle function.
How can pelvic floor dysfunction cause bloating?
Pelvic floor dysfunction, a condition characterized by the inability to correctly relax and coordinate pelvic floor muscles, can significantly contribute to bloating due to its impact on gastrointestinal functions. When these muscles are not functioning properly, it can impact the ease of emptying and make it difficult for your body to pass stool and gas through the intestines. This obstruction leads to an accumulation of waste and gas in the gastrointestinal tract, causing bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Is it true there’s internal massage?
There can be. We do perform internal soft tissue mobilization of the pelvic muscles that are inside your pelvis and are accessible only through the vagina or rectum. We never do internal treatment without your consent and understanding.
What makes someone a pelvic floor PT vs a regular PT?
All pelvic PTs get additional training in pelvic floor internal treatment through continuing education and at our clinic.
We pride ourselves on the level of training we provide, not just at the beginning but throughout the time our therapists spend at Beyond Basics. We know that learning is a life-long process. We also provide additional training in physiology of the GI system and urinary system as well as sexual health and function and nutritional training. Most PT programs and schools do not provide the depth and breadth of knowledge that we provide all our PTs at Beyond Basics.
Get help now from a pelvic floor therapist.
