Imagine your torso as a can of soda.
The top of the can is your diaphragm (your main breathing muscle), the sides are your abdominal and back muscles, and the bottom of the can is your pelvic floor.
Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is the pressure that builds up inside this "can" when you do things like cough, sneeze, lift something heavy, or even sit up.
It's a natural and necessary force that helps stabilise your spine and protect your organs.
Now, imagine that can has a weak or flimsy bottom (a weak pelvic floor). When you cough, sneeze, or lift something, the pressure inside the can increases. If all the "walls" (the diaphragm, abdominal, and back muscles) are strong, they work together to manage and contain that pressure. However, if the "walls" of the can are weak, especially the bottom (your pelvic floor), that pressure has nowhere to go but down. It pushes directly on the pelvic floor muscles, which can cause them to stretch and weaken over time.
This downward pressure can lead to issues like:
● Urinary incontinence: Leaking when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.
● Pelvic organ prolapse: When the pressure causes organs like the bladder or uterus to sag or drop down.
A strong core—which includes the pelvic floor—is like a strong, well-sealed can. It can handle that pressure and distribute it evenly, preventing it from putting too much strain on any one part of the system.
This is why exercises that strengthen all parts of the core, not just the "six-pack" muscles, are so important for pelvic health.
This is why Pilates is an essential part of your rehab from pelvic floor dysfunction. And if you currently have a strong pelvic floor, let's keep it that way and future-proof it with regular Pilates.