Internal Pelvic Release Work
Having come to this work as a woman, mother and doula, it’s first so essential that I acknowledge the magnificence and sacredness of our bodies holistically but that there is a deep reverence to be held for the space that houses our wombs, and gosh to honour our wombs, without which we would not be here.
Our pelvic space is home to a number of organs all of which are supported by soft tissue connections (ligaments, fascia and muscles) and are suspended in space with the help of the bony structures of the pelvis. Here is home to the bladder, bowel, womb. These fibres have an unmatched capacity in the body of a woman or person who has a womb to accommodate change, like in pregnancy.
All of these soft tissue connections have a big job, to hold these organs in their place, with a balance of softness and tension, never static and always moving between, as the body needs and requires. That is, when the fibres are able to do so freely.
We know all other areas of the body can become tense, sticky or tight, so too can the soft tissues of the pelvis. Where there is tension there is a restriction to the movement, flow, expansion and contraction abilities of the soft tissues. This affects the space of the bones and organs which can at times result in symptoms that can cause discomfort, pain or we may not have any known awareness of this at all.
Our bodies are so very alive, yes we have a very big wonderful brain that processes so much of what the body experiences, however the body has its own experience, it just is, it’s not able to not experience something that happens to it. The body remembers, and often tension can hold memories and emotions for us. The body and mind have different ways of processing things, they work in unison ideally to bring us back into alignment.
This tension can be the result of injury, our postural and movement habits, trauma, surgery, lifestyle choices or just the way our bodies are made.
The intention of this work is to explore, identify areas of tension and invite release with tender direct touch, so allowing the tissues to melt away and sigh. With this, space can be created and the capacity of these fibres can be restored to their full potential and the organs and the bony structures are able to return to an easeful state of alignment.
This is done through the back wall of the vagina to access direct touch to the soft tissues that are the stabilisers of this space. You’ll be invited to intentionally direct your breathing at the same time as gentle deliberate touch is applied, to invite any tension that is there to release.
In a couple of sentences:
Internal pelvic release work is twofold.
Firstly, it intends to bring connection and understanding for us. To more deeply understand the anatomy of the pelvic space, how it works and it’s capacity from both the sharing of knowledge and the physical exploration of the space.
Second, it intends to provide a tangible opportunity to apply gentle deliberate touch through the back wall of the vagina, identifying areas of tension and enabling the opportunity for tension release. With this, space can be created and the capacity of these fibres have the opportunity to be restored to a greater or their full potential and the organs and the bony structures may be able to return to a more easeful state of alignment.
What’s the difference between this work and a vaginal examination or women’s health physio assessment or a pap smear?
Women are usually only familiar with vaginal examinations that explore the top wall – as in a cervix check when in labour or for a pap smear.
The Pelvic Space
The vagina
The vagina is a stretchable tube. It’s ability to stretch is rather unfathomable!
The womb
Cervix
Vagina
Who would benefit from Internal Pelvic Release Work?
Women preparing for birth
Women healing from birth
Women with painful scars in their vagina from birth
Women who want to understand why they ‘couldn’t birth’ their baby vaginally
Women confused about sensations they felt in their labour or stalls in their labour
Women who have been harmed by another
Women who experience painful or no sex due to vaginismus/vulvodynia
Women who feel their pelvic floor is weak
Women who feel their pelvic floor is tight or hypertonic
Women curious about knowing more of their pelvic goods
What’s involved in Internal Pelvic Release Work?
A 2 hour education and hands-on session includes:
A discussion on pelvic anatomy to support a woman’s knowledge of her pelvic space, pelvic bones and pelvic soft tissues
an exploration and gentle release of tension in the soft tissue connections – ligaments, muscles, fascia – felt through the back wall of the vagina
guidance with ‘how to continue with self-care’ and further release work by the woman or with her partner’s support
The 2hour session also includes the sharing of other modes of releasing tension e.g. bum jiggling and techniques that cultivate balance within the pelvis and womb
Directed Breathing
Employing the breath appropriately will amplify any touch/bodywork and birth preparation. It enables presence, supreme focus, tension release and an increase of circulation and function to pelvic structures and systems.
Working with the Pelvic Floor
Uterine Ligaments
“The Pelvic Clock Exercise” is a way to connect with the uterine ligaments that attach into the cervix and mastering release of tension in these powerful fibres
Pelvic Floor Muscles
“The Sploosh Exercise is a way to let go of pelvic floor tension after every contraction in labour
Bum Jiggling
Jiggling is a highly effective and recommended way to release tension, synchronise body systems, prepare for birth, make more space for the baby and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. It is also a highly enjoyable and easy to learn practice for couples preparing for birth
Psoas Release
The psoas is the body’s flight/fight/freeze muscle and it passes through the pelvis. When holding tension, the psoas muscles can influence a baby’s position in the womb, and generally affect pelvic balance.
Pelvic Balancing
When the pelvis is in a state of balance, all pelvic organs & tissues have effective nerve and blood supply.
Pelvic Balancing is a gentle practice, based on Ortho Bionomy principles to bring the pelvis into a state of balance.
Scar Release Work
Caesarean Section scars and vaginal scars benefit enormously from gentle release work. Tender, deliberate touch brings about a softening of scars, so improving blood flow and nervous innervation.
