How to Treat Low Back Pain and Urinary Incontinence in Female Clients Using the Epiglottal Complex
By: Nataliya Zlotnikov, MSc, HBSc
By: Nataliya Zlotnikov, MSc, HBSc
In the literature surrounding pelvic health, intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is often discussed regarding the effects it can have on the pelvic floor, causing dysfunction when the pressure system is not coordinated properly with movement. While it is important to work with this pressure for optimal central stability or proximal control, we cannot forget to discuss intra-thoracic pressure, how it is intertwined with IAP and how they work together to maintain musculoskeletal and pelvic floor health.
IAP and how stabilization occurs
We all know about the inner core unit. It consists of the transverse abdominus, multifidus, diaphragm and pelvic floor and is often thought of as a closed pressure system.
The transverse abdominus muscle is the primary muscle activated for stabilization – in fact, it is recruited prior to the initiation of any movement of the upper and lower extremity. The multifidus muscle runs along the spine and serves as one of the primary supports for the spine, pelvis, and hips.
When the diaphragm and pelvic floor contract simultaneously – the diaphragm descending on an inhale and the pelvic floor ascending - this creates the most effective stabilization, compressing the abdominal cavity cranially and caudally which then increases the IAP. When these four muscles contract in a coordinated manner it causes increased stiffness of the lumbar spine which creates the stabilization needed for movement.
During higher load activities, the body requires more stability. These muscles of the inner core help to reinforce and stabilize the pelvis because of the attachments they have to the thoracolumbar fascia and to the ligament of the pelvis. The stabilization effect that they have on the pelvis includes creating compression forces around the articular surfaces, pulling on connective tissue and increasing the amount of nutation creating a locking mechanism.
But what if the inner core is not a closed system? What if instead of closing off at the abdominals and diaphragm, that it works in unison with the glossopharyngeal unit and is affected by the opening and closing of the glottis? What are the effects this can have on the diaphragm and pelvic floor?
What is the glossopharyngeal unit? The pharynx is part of the throat behind the nasal and oral cavity leading to both the lungs and the stomach. Within this area, the epiglottis is located and points up towards the pharynx. The epiglottis is a flap located in the throat that opens and closes to prevent food from entering the respiratory tract and glottis. During respiration, it opens to allow air to enter the lungs, and when we eat it closes to prevent food from entering when swallowing.
The larynx, which is part of the respiratory tract, houses the vocal folds which we use to help manipulate our pitch and volume which is essential for speech. The glottis is the narrowest part of the larynx which also helps to produce sound and can be useful in practice to change compensatory patterns and allow for appropriate central stability.
Julie Wiebe and Susan Clinton will introduce this concept and the ones discussed below in their 2.75-hour course and how to optimize these systems to improve client function. Help your clients reconnect to their bodies with the strategies you will learn in this course!
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About the course
The inner core unit is the anticipatory core that sets up proximal control to help us complete the purposeful movement with our limbs. These purposeful movements that are used when completing our activities of daily living should be done with little difficulty. For example, lifting objects, climbing stairs and standing up from a chair. Often with these activities that throughout the day we give little thought to, can actually be quite difficult and taxing on our body when there is an imbalance in our muscles, or in the systems mentioned above.
Breath-holding is often used as compensation to help increase central stability. These compensatory patterns can develop for example from weakness in the pelvic floor after giving birth.
Our breathing patterns are SO important. It can calm down the nervous system when it is in overdrive, which is often a constant state of the human race. The fight or flight system is often turned on causing a constant state of stress reactions, which is not supposed to be active all the time and has negative effects on the human body when it is. By controlling our breathing patterns, we can turn on the parasympathetic nervous system which is interconnected with the vagal trigeminal system, which also has connections to the epiglottis and surrounding areas.
When we hold our breath, it creates tension in our body, and specifically the pelvic floor. When there is tension all the time, we cannot create the proper tension to complete activities which will then affect proximal stability.
Faulty breathing patterns are discussed further in the course and the neuroanatomy behind their connections to help you understand what techniques can be implemented into your practice to help address these issues.
From top to bottom the body is working together. The respiratory system and alimentary tract have anatomical, neurophysiological, neuromuscular and structural connections. You may find yourself wondering how so? How do these systems relate to the very common dysfunctions of the lumbopelvic, cervicothoracic region, pelvic floor and gut systems? How do they affect proximal control and what contributors and links may be drawn when discussing alignment, breathing mechanics, pressure systems, chemical contributors, cranial and autonomic nervous systems? Click below to find out!
PT, DPT Clinician/Educator
Julie Wiebe, PT, DPT (she/her) has over twenty-five years of clinical experience in Sports Medicine and Pelvic Health, specializing in abdominopelvic, pregnancy and postpartum health for fit and athletic populations. Her passion is to return active patients to fitness and sport after injury and pregnancy and equip professionals to do the same. She has pioneered an integrative approach to promote pelvic health in and through movement and fitness. These strategies have been successfully incorporated by medical providers, rehab practitioners and fitness professionals into a variety of populations (ortho/sports medicine, pelvic health, neurology, and pediatrics).
A published author, Dr. Wiebe is a sought after speaker to provide continuing education and lectures internationally at clinics, academic institutions, conferences and professional organizations. She provides direct care to fit and athletic populations through telehealth and her clinical practice. Recently, Dr. Wiebe joined the faculty of the University of Michigan-Flint, a welcomed opportunity to pursue both her educational and research goals to promote optimized care in clinical practice across the continuum.
PT, DScPT, OCS, WCS, COMT, FAAOMPT WHC NBC-HWC
Dr. Clinton is an award-winning physical therapist in professional achievement and the owner of LTI Physio in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Susan is board certified in orthopedic and women’s health physical therapy, a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, and a board certified health and wellness coach.
She is an international instructor/mentor of post-professional education in women’s health (including GI issues in women), orthopedic manual therapy, health/wellness coaching for the health care practitioner and business psychology. She is on faculty at Andrews University in the Doctor of Science in PT program, a Master Coach for the Integrative Women’s Health Institute, a reviewer for the Journal of Womens Health Physical Therapy and a clinical faculty instructor for the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy and ASPIRE. She is also an active author in research and blog posts, and is an active professional/clinical mentor. Susan is the co-founder and board member for the foundation: Global Women’s Health Initiative. She is also the co-host of the 5 five-star podcast, “Tough to Treat,” the guide to treating complex patients, and “The Genius Project,” reframing the treatment of persistent musculoskeletal pain.
Susan enjoys walking / hiking, country line dance and ballroom, and is an avid supporter of music, the arts, and international objectives for women’s health.