Beyond the Pelvic Floor: Why Your Hips Matter

By Heather Evans - Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist at Empower Your Pelvis, in Kansas City, Missouri (Lee Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)

When we talk about "pelvic health" or a "pelvic floor physical therapist," you might assume we’re only focusing on the pelvic floor muscles. While those muscles are definitely key players, they’re just one part of a much larger system. At Empower Your Pelvis, we take a holistic approach that looks beyond the pelvic floor, often addressing the entire body from head to toe. Today, let’s shine a light on one of our favorite areas to work on – the hips!

Why Should You Care About Your Hips?

You might wonder, "If I’m leaking urine when I sneeze or experiencing pain during sex, why should I worry about my hips?" The answer is simple: your hips play a vital role in your overall pelvic health. Their strength, flexibility, and range of motion directly impact the function of your pelvic floor muscles.

For example, if your pelvic floor muscles are weak, we work to improve their coordination, strength, and endurance. However, if we only focus on the pelvic floor and ignore hip weakness, we might miss a crucial piece of the puzzle. Your hips and pelvic floor are neighbors, and both are essential parts of your core. Ignoring hip weakness can limit your progress, leaving you with unresolved symptoms.

What If You Have Pelvic Floor Tension?

If your pelvic floor muscles are tight and can’t relax properly, the surrounding muscles – especially in your hips – can also be affected. Tight hip muscles can reduce your overall flexibility, making it harder to address pelvic floor tension. By targeting both areas, we create a more balanced, flexible, and functional system.

How Do the Hips Affect the Rest of Your Body?

Pelvic health doesn’t exist in isolation. Many patients also experience other issues, like knee pain, plantar fasciitis, or low back pain. Weak hip muscles can throw off the alignment of your lower body, causing your knees to collapse inward, your arches to flatten, and your ankles to roll in. Strengthening your hips helps correct these imbalances, leading to less pain, better posture, and improved daily activities.

Special Considerations for Pregnant Mamas

During pregnancy, your body produces hormones that relax your ligaments to prepare your pelvis for delivery. This increased flexibility can cause muscles, especially in your hips, to tighten as your body tries to stabilize itself. As a result, many pregnant women experience pain in the back of their hips or down their legs. By addressing hip dysfunction and improving mobility, we help you manage these symptoms and get your body ready for labor.

The Importance of Hip Health

Whether your goal is to stop leaking, have pain-free sex, run a marathon, or prepare for childbirth, strong and flexible hips are an important piece of the puzzle. When we optimize hip function, we support the pelvic floor and the rest of your body in achieving better movement and less discomfort.

Get Professional Help

If you're looking for “pelvic floor therapy near me”, consider scheduling a consultation at one of our locations in Kansas City-Overland Park, Kansas, or Lees Summit, Missouri. Click here to book your appointment.

Join the Core Restore Program

Ready to take charge of your wellness and overcome the challenges of core, hip, and pelvic floor weakness? Our Core Restore Program provides you with the comprehensive guidance you need to build strength, enhance stability, and feel your absolute best. Enroll today and take the first step towards feeling empowered, strong, and revitalized—mind, body, and spirit!

With wellness in your pelvis-

Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Kansas City (Lee’s Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)