Have you ever experienced symptoms that don’t quite make sense together?
Things like:
- pelvic pain
- bloating
- urinary urgency
- lower abdominal discomfort
- or even lower back and hip pain
And you’ve been told they’re separate issues… But something about that just doesn’t feel right?
What if these symptoms aren’t separate at all… 👉 but connected through your pelvis?
If we look at the pelvis as a functional system. We can see that organ function, pelvic pain, certain movement restrictions are all connected – To the way the pelvis moves and functions and all the fascial connections into that structure.
Want to read the transcript instead?
here it is…
The Pelvis As A Functional System
Linking Organs, Fascia and Movement
Hi, I’m Alexis Weidland, osteopath at BlossomingMe and Healthy Learning Lounge.
Over the last few videos, we’ve explored:
- the pelvis as your foundation
- how it works with your rib cage
- and how it influences movement and pain patterns
Today, we’re going deeper.
👉 Into the internal system.
Because your pelvis isn’t just structural.
It’s a hub for:
- movement
- organ function
- circulation
- and nervous system regulation
Your pelvis houses and supports:
- your bladder
- parts of your bowel
- and for women, your uterus and reproductive organs
These organs don’t just sit there.
👉 they need:
- space
- movement
- and circulation
To function well.
👉 Your pelvis is both a mechanical structure and a functional environment
The Structure ↔ Function Relationship
Now this is where things start to connect.
If your pelvis is:
- well-aligned
- mobile
- and balanced
👉 your organs have the environment they need
But if your pelvis is:
- asymmetrical
- restricted
- or under constant tension
👉 that environment changes
WHAT THAT MEANS
- space may be reduced
- movement may be limited
- circulation may be altered
And over time…
👉 this can influence how those organs function
The Fascia Connection
Now we need to talk about fascia.
Because this is one of the most important, but least understood pieces.
Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds and links everything in your body.
In the pelvis:
👉 fascia connects:
- organs to the pelvic walls
- organs to each other
- and organs to surrounding muscles
WHAT THIS DOES
This means:
👉 if one area becomes restricted
👉 that tension can spread
For example:
- tension in pelvic muscles → can affect organ movement
- restriction around organs → can affect surrounding structures
So again… 👉 nothing is working in isolation
Structural Components
Now let’s bring in the structural side.
Because the pelvis isn’t just one thing, it’s a combination of:
- bones
- joints
- ligaments
- muscles
Pelvic Floor
Your pelvic floor sits at the base of your pelvis.
It needs to:
- support
- respond
- and co-ordinate movement
If it becomes:
- too tight
- too weak
- or asymmetrical
👉 it can affect:
- bladder function
- bowel function
- pelvic comfort
The Pelvic Floor with Respiration
Your pelvic floor sits at the base of your pelvis.
But importantly… 👉 it also works with your breathing.
Every time you inhale:
- your diaphragm moves downward
- pressure increases in your abdomen
- your pelvic floor gently lengthens in response
Every time you exhale:
- your diaphragm lifts
- pressure reduces
- your pelvic floor recoils and lifts
👉 your pelvic floor is not static
👉 it is constantly responding to every breath you take
WHEN THIS IS DISRUPTED
If breathing is:
- shallow
- restricted
- or chest-dominant
👉 this coordination is disrupted
Which can affect:
- pressure regulation
- support
- and organ function
Deep Muscles
There are also deeper muscles involved, including:
- obturator internus
- quadratus femoris
- deep hip rotators
These help:
- stabilise the pelvis
- control movement
- support surrounding structures
If these become:
- tight
- overactive
- or imbalanced
👉 they can contribute to:
- pelvic pain
- hip discomfort
- altered movement patterns
Ligaments
Ligaments like the ischiococcygeal ligament help provide structural support.
If there is:
- asymmetry
- tension
- or strain
👉 this can influence:
- stability
- nerve sensitivity
- and surrounding tissues
👉 Structure influences function
👉 and function influences structure
Organ Function and Irritation
Now let’s talk more directly about organs.
Bladder
Your bladder relies on:
- structural support
- pressure regulation
- and coordination with the pelvic floor
For normal function, your pelvic floor must:
👉 contract → to maintain continence
👉 relax → to allow urination
👉 It’s not just strength—it’s timing and coordination
If this system isn’t working well, this can contribute to:
- urgency
- frequency
- discomfort
- incomplete emptying
Bowel
The bowel, similarly to bladder relies on:
- movement
- Pressure
- timing
- and coordination
If things are restricted:
👉 this can contribute to:
- constipation
- bloating
- discomfort
Reproductive Organs
For women, the uterus and surrounding structures are influenced by:
- pelvic alignment
- circulation
- fascial mobility
This can relate to:
- menstrual discomfort
- pelvic heaviness
- or sensitivity
IMPORTANT NOTE
This isn’t about diagnosing specific conditions 👉 it’s about understanding contributing factors
Circulation, Lymphatics & Fluid Movement
Your pelvis is a key area for:
- blood flow
- venous return
- lymphatic drainage
Your lymphatic system relies on:
- movement
- breathing
- pressure changes
👉 It doesn’t have its own pump
When this system works
- Fluid moves efficiently
- Tissues feel supported
- The body feels lighter
When it doesn’t
When it is restricted, compressed or asymmetrical
👉 Fluid can become sluggish or congested
This may feel like:
- pelvic heaviness
- lower abdominal fullness
- heavy or tired legs
- swelling or fluid retention
- fatigue
In some cases… 👉 even things like varicose veins can be influenced by how well fluid is returning through the system
This links directly to:
👉 breathing
👉 pressure
👉 movement
So… This is not just structure… it’s flow
Now let’s go a layer deeper into something that’s often overlooked…
Fluid movement.
Your pelvis is an area where a lot of:
- blood flow
- venous return
- and lymphatic drainage
has to move against gravity.
Your lymphatic system, in particular, doesn’t have a pump like your heart.
👉 It relies on:
- movement
- breathing
- and pressure changes
To circulate effectively.
Connecting to Movement & Breath
This links directly back to what we spoke about earlier in the series.
Because:
- your diaphragm
- your rib cage
- and your pelvis
👉 create pressure changes that help move fluid
So if that system isn’t working well… Circulation and lymphatic flow can be affected
So again…
👉 this isn’t just about muscles or joints
👉 it’s about how your whole system moves and flows
Pelvic Health and Sensitivity (important, but difficult, so often not discussed)
There’s also another layer here that’s not often spoken about, but is really important.
👉 pelvic sensitivity and comfort.
The tissues within and around the pelvis are:
- highly innervated
- responsive to pressure
- and influenced by both physical and nervous system factors
If there is:
- increased tension
- reduced movement
- or changes in circulation
👉 this can contribute to:
- increased sensitivity
- discomfort
- or pain with pressure or activity
And for some people…
👉 this may show up in areas like sexual health
This isn’t about labelling or diagnosing anything specific. It’s about understanding contributing factors
Because when the environment of the pelvis is:
- more balanced
- better supported
- and less tense
👉 tissues often become more comfortable and responsive
So again…
👉 the goal isn’t just to “treat a symptom”
👉 it’s to support the environment those tissues exist within
Nervous System
Now we layer in the nervous system. Because this plays a huge role.
When your body is:
- stressed
- or in a protective state
👉 pelvic muscles often tighten
When your system is more:
- shut down
- or fatigued
👉 function can reduce
This Means
👉 Your state influences your structure AND Your structure influences your state
So when all of this is combined…
You might notice:
- pelvic discomfort
- lower abdominal tension
- urinary or bowel changes
- lower back or hip pain
- a sense of heaviness or pressure
👉 These aren’t separate issues. They’re connected through the one system
So instead of asking:
👉 “What’s wrong with this one area?”
Start asking:
👉 “What environment is my body working in?”
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY
Start becoming aware of:
- tension in your lower abdomen
- how your pelvis feels at rest
- your breathing and how it reaches your lower body
You don’t need to fix everything at once.
👉 awareness is the starting point
If this is starting to connect things for you…
This is exactly the deeper layer we begin to explore inside my programs.
Where we look at the body as a system, not separate parts.
Because when you support the system… 👉 your body has the chance to function better.
So that’s it for today.
Did it raise any questions or aha moments? If so, I’d love to hear them. So please put those in the comment section. I love answering questions. I hope you found today useful. And if you know someone who could use this information, please share it. Remember to comment, like and subscribe.
Until next time and in health,
Bye for now.
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About Blossoming Me
BlossomingMe offers a fully integrated approach to your wellbeing. Located on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. Sarah is our Cranio-sacral and Remedial Massage Therapist and health and lifestyle coach. She can help relieve those problematic knots, tightness and other specific ailments to promote a healthy recovery. These complementary massage therapies can be combined to suit your needs, and include: craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, acupressure, reiki, remedial, swedish, and body-mind-massage.
Our qualified Osteopath, Alexis, offers a drug free, minimally invasive, “hands on” treatment focusing on the musculoskeletal system with its associated muscles, tendons, ligaments, membranes, bones and joints. Alexis takes a functional approach. This means that she focuses on the way a component (body part, tissue or group of tissues) performs its role, as well as the way the body works, performs and integrates as a whole. Our team can support you to improve your posture and therefore your overall health.
**Disclaimer** The information provided by BlossomingMe, on our website, in our courses, and in our blogs and posts, is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided on this site and social outlets is not, nor intended to be, a substitute for profess ional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health professional before you make any changes to your health regime, before dealing with new symptoms, and, if something you have read here has raised any questions or concerns regarding your situation.