How Posture Affects Your Pelvic Floor

When most people think about posture, they picture slouching at a desk or standing up straight to “look confident.” But posture isn’t just about how you look—it’s about how your body functions. And when it comes to your pelvic floor, postural alignment plays a major role in how well those muscles do their job.

Let’s break it down.

TL;DR: Your Pelvic Floor Doesn’t Work in Isolation

If you’re dealing with symptoms like leaking, pelvic pain, or core disconnection, your posture might be part of the puzzle—and pelvic floor therapy can help you find the missing pieces.

Wait—What Does the Pelvic Floor Do, Exactly?

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that acts like a supportive sling at the base of your core. These muscles help control your bladder and bowels, support your pelvic organs, and contribute to your sexual function and stability.

But for those muscles to do their job well, they need to work with the rest of your body—not against it.

Posture + Pelvic Floor = A Two-Way Street

Your spine, pelvis, and ribcage are all connected. When your posture is out of alignment—say you’re tucking your tailbone under all day while sitting, or arching your lower back excessively to “stand tall”—your pelvic floor muscles have to adapt to that new position.

Over time, that can lead to:

• Pelvic floor tightness or overactivity (common in people who clench or “hold tension” in their hips or abs)

• Pelvic floor weakness (if the muscles are stretched or underused due to poor positioning)

• Leaks, urgency, or constipation due to coordination issues between your core and pelvic muscles

• Back, hip, or tailbone pain from inefficient muscle activation or imbalances

In short: alignment issues = function issues.

How to Tell If Your Posture Might Be Affecting Your Pelvic Floor

Everyone’s body is different, but here are a few signs your alignment might be contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction:

• You find yourself constantly “tucking” your pelvis under when standing or sitting

• Your ribs flare upward or your lower back arches a lot

• You struggle to engage your core or breathe deeply

• You leak urine when you run, laugh, or sneeze

• You have pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort during sex

What We Focus on in Pelvic Floor Therapy

At Webb PT, we take a full-body approach to pelvic health—which includes posture, breathing, movement habits, and muscle coordination.

We might:

• Assess your standing and sitting posture

• Look at how you breathe (yes, really!)

• Work on core and pelvic floor connection through gentle movement

• Address mobility in your hips, ribs, or low back

• Help you build better body awareness—without overcorrecting or “perfect posture” pressure

• 
  

Because it’s not about sitting up straight 100% of the time. It’s about giving your body the tools to support you—wherever you are.