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Slide 2 THE PELVIC FLOOR AND THE ABDOMINAL CORE Slide 3 THE BONY BOUNDARIES OF THE ABDOMINAL CORE Netter 2006 The ribs, low back and pelvis form the bony boundaries of the abdominal core Slide 4 THE ABDOMINAL CORE Lee 1999 A strong and coordinated abdominal core helps to: control the rises in intra- abdominal pressure support the pelvic organs support the low back Slide 5 THE FEMALE PELVIC ORGANS Petros 2004 Slide 6 THE PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES Petros 2004 The pelvic floor is the primary support for the pelvic organs Slide 7 THE LEVATOR ANI MUSCLES Netter 2006 U urethra V vagina R rectum C coccyx PR puborectalis PC pubococcygeus IC iliococcygeus CG coccygeus PC IC C V R U PR CG Slide 8 THE PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES- An extraordinary multi-tasker! sexual function pelvic organ support low back stability pelvic stability urinary continence breathing fecal continence voiding childbirth Slide 9 NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO START TRAINING YOUR PELVIC FLOOR