Pelvic Health + Nutrition Partnership
Hi friends, today I am sitting down with my business partner, Amy Burden, a registered dietitian who shares my passion for whole-body pelvic health. We talk all the time about how pelvic floor therapy and nutrition overlap, so we thought why not bring that conversation to all of you!!
How Pelvic Health and Nutrition Intersect
Christian, Pelvic Floor PT:
When someone comes to me with pelvic floor symptoms such as consitpation, bladder urgency, painful sex or core weakness, I always ask about bowel patterns and bowel management. The pelvic floor does not work in isolation. It responds to what is happening above and around it.
Amy Burden, Registered Dietitian:
Agree and when someone comes to me with bloating, constipation, or gut discomfort, I am thingking about how their pelvic floor might be contributing. Nutrition can support the system but if the muscles are not coordinating well, digestion can not function smoothly. It is all connected.
Why Movement + Nutrition Work Better Together
Christian, Pelvic Floor PT:
I can teach someone the perfect exercise or bladder training strategy, however if they are constipated or dehydrated or their system has high amounts of inflammation, their pelvic floor is constantly working against internal stress. Movement alone can not fix what nutrition is influencing everyday.
Amy Burden, Registered Dietitian:
And I see the reverse of that, if I give someone the ideal nutrition plan but their pelvic floor is tight, weak or uncoordinated, they may still struggle with bowel movements or bladder issues such as urinary urgency. We need both sides, nutrition and muscle coordination, working together.
Real Life Examples:
Christian, Pelvic Floor PT:
Let’s take constipation for example. I can work on breathing, pelvic floor relaxation and pelvic floor muscle coordination but without adequate fiber, hydration and gut supportive foods, progress is slow. I end up using an entire session to try and talk about nutrition and its role in obtaining their goal of better bowel evacuation.
Amy Burden, Registered Dietitian:
Same for me, when someone is dealing with urinary urgency, I can talk to them about decreasing foods or liquids that can irritate the bladder and talk about spacing of fluids throughout their day, however if their pelvic floor is tight, weak or uncoordinated, the progress is also limited and slow.
Why We Created Pelvic Pathways Together:
Christian, Pelvic Floor PT:
I knew that nutrition needed to be a focus of Pelvic Pathways because of the amount of time I see myself in the clinic talking about nutrition and bowel management. I knew that you also felt the same way Amy. People should not have to search different providers or companies to get answers. Here at Pelvic Pathways, where we combine Nutrition with Pelvic Health Education, our clients can get both in one place.
Amy Burden, Registered Dietitian:
I know we both have a goal of empowering women with knowledge, not just quick fixes. We both truly believe that when someone understands their why, they then have tools to make lasting changes.
Take Away
Pelvic health is not just about exercises, and nutrition is not just about food. Together, they create a foundation for better bowel, bladder and sexual health and overall a better quality of life. Pelvic Pathways is here to guide you through that journey with education, awareness and support that actually makes sense for your whole body.
