Stop Ignoring Your Body

In this episode, pelvic health specialist Dr. Laura Luitje breaks down why your pelvic floor problem might not actually be a pelvic floor problem. We explore how your feet, hips, rib cage, jaw, and nervous system all influence pelvic function—and why treating the pelvic floor in isolation often misses the real issue. Plus, a realization about how we teach our kids to ignore their bodies from a young age.

MY 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Your pelvic floor responds to everything above and below it. The pelvic floor isn't isolated—it's part of your whole body system. Your feet, ankles, hips, rib cage, and even your jaw directly influence pelvic tone and function. If your ankle doesn't move well, your glutes can't function fully. If your deep abdominals aren't stable, your pelvic floor overcompensates. Look at the whole body first.

Common patterns have common drivers—and they're rarely where you feel the pain! Knee, low back, and neck pain are usually responding to something else—often the foot, hip, or mid-back. Your body is brilliantly trying to help you by compensating, but the price is often high. Find what's actually driving the pattern and work there first.

We learn to ignore our bodies from childhood-and it shows up everywhere. Growing up means learning to sit still, eat what others tell you to, and ignore your body's signals. This disconnection from our intuition and bodily needs is pervasive. As parents, we can do something different: help our kids stay connected to what their bodies need.

PRACTICAL TOOLS:

✨ The Whole Body Approach — When something hurts, get curious about what might be driving it from above or below rather than just treating the painful area.

✨ Diversity of Movement — Use your feet, hips, and body in varied ways throughout your day. Squatting, sitting on the floor, climbing, balancing—it all matters.

✨ Tactile Awareness — If you can't feel your pelvic floor, try contracting different parts (the "anal claw" to grab a blueberry), touching your tailbone, or getting professional tactile feedback.

✨ Curiosity Over Fear — Approach dysfunction as a point of curiosity, not a sign that something is broken. Your body wants to work—it might just be missing the right inputs.

RESOURCES:

Cerise Chill (breast milk cooler) 

Ninni Co Pacifier — Code: BEWELLBABY for 10% off

KEYWORDS:

pelvic floor health, pelvic floor dysfunction, whole body movement, nervous system, ankle mobility, hip function, posture, women's health, postpartum recovery, diastasis, pelvic pain, incontinence, body awareness, movement diversity, feet and ankle, jaw tension

MORE ABOUT LAURA:

Dr. Laura Luitje is a pelvic health physical therapist specializing in whole-body integration. A former dancer and yoga instructor, she's fluent in French and Spanish and brings deep empathy for busy parents navigating wellness. She has twins, personal experience with severe diastasis, and a gift for demystifying how bodies work—from pain and elimination to reproduction, movement, and joy. Dr. Laura and Dr. Abigail Richards founded Mount Tabor Pelvic Health in Portland, Oregon.

Mount Tabor Pelvic Health (Portland, Oregon) — Dr. Laura Luitje & Dr. Abigail Richards

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