Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: The Overlooked Cause of Low Back Pain
When you think about low back pain, you might picture tight muscles, a slipped disc, or a pinched nerve. But for many people—especially women—there’s a less obvious culprit: the pelvic floor.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of your core that helps stabilize your spine, hips, and pelvis. These muscles are critical for bladder and bowel control, yes—but also for core stability, breathing, and movement. When the pelvic floor isn’t working properly—whether it’s too tight, too weak, or poorly coordinated—it can cause a cascade of issues in your low back, hips, and beyond.
At Sioux Center Chiropractic, we specialize in helping people uncover and treat this missing link—so they can finally move, lift, and live without nagging back pain.
Who Is at Risk?
We commonly see pelvic floor dysfunction contributing to back pain in:
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Pregnant or postpartum women (even years after delivery)
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Active women who deal with core weakness, hip pain, or leaking with exercise
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Desk workers or students who sit for long hours with poor posture
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Men and women recovering from surgery, injury, or chronic pain
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Athletes with recurring back or hip issues that never fully resolve
If you live in Sioux Center, Hull, Le Mars, Orange City, or surrounding areas and you’ve tried stretching, core work, or massage—and your back pain keeps returning—the pelvic floor could be part of the puzzle.
Signs Your Pelvic Floor May Be Involved
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Chronic or recurring low back pain or sacral pain
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SI joint instability or stiffness
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Leaking urine with sneezing, running, or jumping
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Tailbone pain or pubic bone discomfort
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A “heaviness” or pressure sensation in the pelvic area
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Pain or discomfort during intercourse or pelvic exams
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Difficulty activating or strengthening your deep core
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Feeling like your body hasn’t been the same since pregnancy
How the Pelvic Floor Affects the Spine
Your pelvic floor works hand-in-hand with your diaphragm, deep abdominal muscles, and spinal stabilizers. This system—often called your “core canister”—helps regulate pressure, movement, and balance from the inside out.
When one part of this system breaks down (like a tight or weak pelvic floor), the rest of the body compensates. That’s when we see back pain, hip tightness, and even nerve irritation set in.
It’s not just about core strength—it’s about core coordination, and that’s exactly what we help restore.
How We Treat Pelvic Floor–Related Back Pain
At Sioux Center Chiropractic, we combine gentle chiropractic care, one-on-one rehab, and advanced therapies to address both the symptoms and root causes of your pain.
1. Pelvis- and Spine-Focused Chiropractic Adjustments
We perform targeted adjustments to the sacroiliac joints, lumbar spine, pelvis, and pubic symphysis when needed. These help reduce mechanical strain, improve stability, and take pressure off irritated tissues.
2. Pelvic Floor–Friendly Rehab
Our rehab team, in collaboration with Dr. Karsyn Harmsen and Dr. Tiffany Armstrong, provides:
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Breathwork and diaphragm activation
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Pelvic floor retraining that avoids over-tightening
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SI joint stabilization and hip mobility work
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Guidance for postpartum healing and safe return to exercise
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Real-world movement training—how to squat, lift, and carry properly
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Individualized programs for athletes, moms, and desk workers alike
This is not a “do more kegels” approach—it’s a whole-body reset designed to restore real function.
3. Shockwave and Laser Therapy (When Needed)
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Shockwave therapy helps address chronic tissue tension and scar tissue in the hips, glutes, and surrounding structures (external applications only).
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Laser therapy is ideal for reducing inflammation, supporting nerve recovery, and accelerating healing—especially in chronic pain cases.
4. Education = Empowerment
We teach you how to:
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Breathe for core stability
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Avoid compensations that worsen your symptoms
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Move confidently and safely through workouts and daily life
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Recognize what your symptoms are telling you—and how to respond
This isn’t just rehab—it’s retraining your body to work as a unit again.
Who You’ll Work With
You won’t be doing this alone. At Sioux Center Chiropractic, our interdisciplinary team makes your care feel connected and supportive.
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Dr. Karsyn Harmsen leads many of our rehab-integrated care plans for patients with low back pain and pelvic floor involvement. She brings clinical expertise and a calm, encouraging approach to each visit.
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Dr. Tiffany Armstrong has advanced training in pelvic floor care, women’s health, prenatal/postpartum care, and TMJ dysfunction, and collaborates closely on complex or women-specific cases.
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Our rehab team, including a certified athletic trainer, works directly with you to help rebuild strength, improve movement, and support your long-term success.
Together, we provide a compassionate, judgment-free space for healing—whether you’re 6 weeks postpartum or 6 years into chronic pain.
Back Pain Isn’t Just a Spine Problem
If you’ve been chasing back pain without results, it’s time to look deeper. Your pelvic floor may be the missing link, and the good news is—you don’t need surgery, injections, or years of guessing.
Start Healing from the Inside Out
We’ve helped patients from Sioux Center, Hull, Le Mars, Orange City, Rock Valley, and throughout Sioux County feel strong, pain-free, and confident in their bodies again. We’d love to help you, too.
Sioux Center Chiropractic: 81 W. 1st St. Sioux Center, IA 712-722-0788
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Dr. Karsyn Harmsen
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