Lifting Techniques to Protect the Pelvic Floor

However, improper lifting techniques can place significant pressure on the pelvic floor, especially in women, new mothers, older adults, and those recovering from pelvic injuries. Pelvic floor physiotherapy Edmonton At In Step Physiotherapy , we emphasize the importance of using proper body mechanics to protect and support pelvic floor health during everyday tasks.

Why Is the Pelvic Floor Important?

It plays a key role in urinary and bowel control, sexual function, and core stability. These muscles can become strained or weakened due to childbirth, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, or aging, conditions such as:

Urinary incontinence

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic pain

Lower back discomfort

One often-overlooked cause of pelvic floor strain is repeated poor lifting mechanics.

How Lifting Affects the Pelvic Floor

When lifting improperly—using your back instead of your legs, holding your breath, or straining—intra-abdominal pressure increases dramatically. This pressure pushes down on the pelvic organs and muscles. Over time, this can compromise pelvic floor integrity, or worsening symptoms.

Safe Lifting Techniques to Protect Your Pelvic Floor

At In Step Physiotherapy, we guide clients through safe lifting strategies that minimize pelvic floor stress. Here are our recommendations:

Pre-Engage the Core and Pelvic Floor

This doesn’t mean holding your breath—rather, breathe in, and as you breathe out, lightly “lift” the pelvic floor (as if stopping the flow of urine), then proceed to lift.

Use the Hip Hinge Technique

Bend at your hips and knees instead of rounding your back. Keep your spine neutral and maintain a slight arch in the lower back. This distributes the load through the legs rather than the pelvic floor and spine.

Keep the Load Close to Your Body

This reduces the leverage effect and the strain on your core and pelvic region.

Exhale on Exertion

Avoid breath-holding (the Valsalva maneuver) during lifting. 

Strengthen the Pelvic Floor and Core

Incorporating physiotherapy-led exercises to strengthen both your core and pelvic floor will make lifting safer and more efficient in the long run. Our team can help you build this strength through personalized programs.

Specialized Guidance at In Step Physiotherapy

At In Step Physiotherapy in Edmonton, we offer pelvic floor physiotherapy tailored to your daily activities, including lifting techniques for parenting, household tasks, or occupational demands. Whether you’re managing incontinence, recovering postnatally, or simply seeking injury prevention, our expert physiotherapists are here to support your goals.

#pelvicfloorphysiotherapygrandeprairie #junctionpointphysicaltherapy #physiotherapyexperts #pelvicfloorphysiotherapy #pelvicfloorphysiotherapynearme #pelvicfloortherapygrandeprairie 

#physiotherapynearme #physiotherapygrandeprairie #physicaltherapygrandeprairie #physicaltherapynearme #physicaltherapy #malepelvicfloorphysiotherapygrandeprairie 

#femalepelvicfloorphysiotherapygrandeprairie