Many of us have been told to “squeeze,” “tighten,” or “brace” to protect our core and pelvic floor. But here’s the truth: a muscle that’s always tight isn’t a strong muscle — it’s an exhausted one.

In pelvic health, this distinction is crucial. Function doesn’t come from gripping harder; it comes from teaching the body to release, respond, and move with adaptability.

Just like your nervous system, the pelvic floor needs to find its Goldilocks point — not too tight, not too lax, but adaptable and responsive to what life asks of it.

When we were kids, many of us were never taught the proper names for our pelvic floor and sexual anatomy. Instead, we were given “cute” words: your flower, your foofoo, your china.

At first glance, those nicknames might feel harmless — even protective. But what happens when the words we grow up with don’t match the truth of our bodies?

We learn silence. We learn shame.

Why do some breathing positions make a bladder prolapse feel heavier? This blog explores how side-lying with a soft ball, 3-6-9 breathing, and apnoea can shift pressure pathways, affect fascia, and influence pelvic nerves. Learn how bracing impacts fascia health, why mobilisation keeps your support system “juicy” and functional, and how nerve pathways (pudendal, hypogastric, pelvic splanchnic, and obturator) play a role in prolapse symptoms. Discover practical troubleshooting tips and how Hypopressives can help you build safe, lasting pelvic floor support.

We don’t usually think about our jaw when we have pelvic floor symptoms, or vice versa, but they’re more closely linked than you might imagine. Through fascia, muscles, nerves, reflexes, and even shared developmental origins, tension in one area can ripple through the other.

Research and clinical experience have shown just how powerful this connection can be, and why releasing tension in the jaw can improve pelvic floor tone and function, and the other way around.

Most people think prolapse means your organs are just… falling out.

But what if it’s not about falling—
What if it’s about being pulled?

In my newest blog, I dive into the real mechanics of pelvic organ prolapse, why tight isn’t the answer, and how movement (yes, even gentle movement!) can help you heal.

When we talk about the pelvic floor, most people jump straight to the Kegels or the ‘squeeze and lift’ muscles. But there’s a deeper, often-forgotten player that holds more sway than you might think: the obturator internus (OI).

If you’ve ever experienced deep glute pain, sacroiliac discomfort, hip restriction, or stubborn pelvic floor tension that just won’t shift—this muscle might be part of the picture.

Why do we instinctively shake after a shock? Why does rocking soothe a crying baby or calm a distressed adult? Shaking, trembling, and vibrating aren’t symptoms to suppress—they're innate mechanisms of healing. This post explores the roots and relevance of shaking therapy, from ancient rituals to contemporary trauma practices like TRE. We’ll dive into how shaking affects the brain, fascia, and vagus nerve, and even how our organs respond to vibration and sound.

Hypopressives are designed to reduce pressure in the abdominal cavity — but what if your session left you with a wave of reflux, throat tightness, or even heartburn?

It can feel disheartening when a technique meant to help seems to aggravate your symptoms. But this isn’t a sign to quit — it’s a sign to listen. In many cases, these sensations aren’t failure; they’re feedback. And when we soften, modify, and approach things with less performance and more presence, the benefits often return tenfold.

Rebounding can be an incredible way to boost your cardiovascular health, build strength, and support your pelvic floor when your system is ready for it.
But jumping—whether on a trampoline or not—isn’t just child’s play. It’s a full-body event that demands elastic recoil, fascial glide, pressure management, and joint integrity. That’s why preparation is everything.

In the world of strength training, few techniques are as powerful—or as misunderstood—as the Valsalva manoeuvre. This breath-holding technique is frequently used in resistance training to create intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and support the spine under load.

But while it's hailed by some experts as a vital performance tool, others warn that in women—especially those postpartum or with pelvic floor dysfunction—it can backfire.

So, what’s the truth? Let’s explore both sides.

Cancer is a journey that can feel overwhelmingly out of our control. Between treatments, side effects, and the mental toll of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel like your body has been hijacked by something you can’t influence. But what if there was a way to reclaim some of that power? What if you could take an active role in your own healing and find moments of calm, relief, and even strength along the way?

Your pelvic floor needs load. Fascia and soft tissue thrive on load—it stimulates collagen and elastin production, keeping your tissues strong, responsive, and well-hydrated.

Rebounding (aka bouncing on a trampoline) delivers dynamic, elastic load through the whole body—hips, spine, core, feet—and, when done well, can actually support pelvic floor resilience.

In fact, studies show that trampolining offers greater biomechanical stimulus than running, especially when it comes to gravitational loading. So yes—it’s effective.

But effective isn’t the same as appropriate—especially if your system isn’t ready.

The pelvic floor doesn’t operate in isolation. It’s part of a deeply interconnected system, regulated by the brain through both the somatic and autonomic nervous systems. Motor signals from the brain travel down the spinal cord and out through nerves like the pudendal, directing muscle tone, contraction, and relaxation in the pelvic floor.

But there’s more—emotions, trauma, and even thoughts can change the brain’s outputs.

You’re Not Alone (and You’re Not Doomed)

Let’s break the taboo. Your perineum deserves just as much attention as your abs, your glutes, or your heart. If you’ve been feeling like something’s “off” or like your body isn’t responding how it used to, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone.

The great news? Your perineum is responsive. With the right tools—like Hypopressives, gentle release work, and postural awareness—it can heal, lift, and reclaim its place in your pelvic puzzle.

If your ribs feel stuck, it’s not a sign of failure—it’s a signal.

Your body isn’t broken.

It might just be asking for safety before mobility.

Support before stretch.

Listening before forcing.

If you’re experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, you’ve probably come across a long list of “solutions” that promise fast results.

💊 Creams.
🔮 Wands.
🪑 Magnetic chairs.
🧴 Gels.

And I get it—when you're leaking, prolapsing, dealing with vaginismus, or feeling like your insides are falling out, you want a fix. Yesterday.

We all wish there was a silver bullet—a magic click of the heels that could just make it all go away.

There’s something that’s been bothering me lately, and I need to get it off my chest. Some clients are being told by PT trainers and physios that the goal is to do 30 apnoeas per session—as if hitting that magic number is the secret to pelvic floor perfection. It’s almost as if these practitioners just can’t quite let go of their Kegel fixation—count, squeeze, repeat.

But here’s the thing: That’s not how Hypopressives—or your pelvic floor—actually work.

Your pelvic floor isn’t meant to work in isolation—it’s part of a complex, coordinated team. It works alongside your diaphragm, deep core, hips, feet, and nervous system.

What your body really needs is a responsive pelvic floor:
One that contracts when needed, relaxes when it’s safe, and moves rhythmically with your breath and posture.

Kegels isolate the pelvic floor from this team. They often fail to restore true function—and can even create further imbalance.

Do’s and Don’ts for Voice & Pelvic Floor Health

✅ DO:

• Practice exhaling while speaking rather than holding your breath and pushing.

• Use diaphragmatic breath before and after long speaking or singing sessions to reset pressure.

• Check your posture: Tall spine, soft knees, relaxed jaw. Alignment helps the canister function.

• Incorporate voice and breath coordination drills (see below).

• Use voice resonance (vibration in the chest or face) instead of pure force.

❌ DON’T:

• Yell or speak forcefully while breath-holding.

• Tuck your pelvis or lock your knees while speaking.

• Push your belly out on inhale or clench your abs on exhale.

• Ignore signs like pelvic heaviness or leaking—those are cues your system needs support.

In Hypopressives, we’re always focusing on creating an elongated, neutral spine and stacking the ribcage efficiently over the pelvis. This alignment supports the vacuum effect, allowing the fascia to move upward in a more balanced, unrestricted way. It also means that the pelvic floor reflexively responds to this pressure shift without any conscious squeezing or bracing. The abdominal muscles, particularly the deeper ones like the transversus abdominis, cinch inward naturally, creating a corset-like effect without forcing a contraction.