Sports Medicine & The Pelvic Floor? Heck yes!
Rooted in Wellness blog comin’ in hot today with a topic that raises eyebrows on the regular: What do sports medicine and pelvic floor therapy have in common?
Spoiler alert: More than you’d think.
When I first expressed interest in treating both athletes and pelvic floor dysfunction, I was told (by multiple people, including other providers!) that it couldn’t be done. “Those two things don’t go together.” Why? Because of an outdated—and frankly, incorrect—belief that pelvic floor therapy is just for postpartum moms doing kegels in a quiet corner of a clinic.
Let’s be clear: everyone has a pelvic floor. It doesn’t matter if you’re a gymnast, powerlifter, runner, CrossFitter, or weekend warrior. If you move your body, your pelvic floor is involved. It’s not just about peeing, pooping, and childbirth. It’s a key player in stabilizing your spine, supporting your organs, coordinating with your diaphragm and core, and transferring load during every single athletic movement—jumping, running, squatting, lifting, you name it.
In fact, many of my pelvic floor patients are athletes. I’m talking about 18-year-old gymnasts with hip pain, 28-year-old male lifters dealing with prostate pain, or runners experiencing chronic low back issues that just won’t quit. These aren't “weak” people. Often, they’re strong, fit, and highly active—but pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t discriminate.
Here are just a few signs pelvic floor issues might be limiting your athletic performance:
Leaking urine when you lift, jump, or run
Hip, pelvic, or low back pain
Pain with intercourse or erectile dysfunction
Constipation or difficulty fully emptying
Feeling like you have to pee right now—even if you just went
These symptoms are common. But they’re not normal. And they’re definitely not something you have to live with.
So what does pelvic floor therapy for athletes actually look like?
First, we identify the root cause. That might be:
Overactive pelvic floor muscles (yes, muscles can be too tense)
Weak or uncoordinated pelvic floor contractions
Poor breath mechanics or core stability
Glute or hip imbalances
Compensations in movement patterns or athletic form
Once we find the “why,” we use a combo of manual therapy, corrective exercise, and a whole lot of education to retrain the system. From there, we integrate the pelvic floor into functional, sport-specific movement. That means teaching your body how to engage the right muscles at the right time, whether you're cleaning a barbell, sprinting the final leg, or doing 100 double-unders without leaking.
This is where pelvic floor meets performance. And it’s so often the missing piece in rehab, recovery, and athletic longevity.
The bottom line?
Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for postpartum moms. It’s for athletes. It’s for high-performers. It’s for anyone who wants to move confidently, lift heavier, train smarter, and feel stronger in their body.
One of my missions at Roots Performance & Wellness is to bridge the gap—making pelvic floor care accessible, supported, and completely normal in the world of athletics. It’s not niche. It’s not taboo. It’s just good sports medicine.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes and not intended as medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, please consult with a physician or physical therapist.
Until Next Time,
Dr. Rachel Wolinski, PT, DPT