Internal Pelvic Release Work Explained
Answering your FAQ’s about Internal Pelvic Release Work
Since introducing Internal Pelvic Release Work to my practice, I have witnessed clients experience incredible shifts and transformations.
This gentle and functional form of pelvic bodywork can be supportive for birth preparation, as well as releasing tension and improving pelvic floor function, making it suitable for women with prolapse, incontinence, endometriosis, birth trauma and other pelvic pain issues.
I was introduced to and trained in Internal Pelvic Release Work by incredible midwife and bodyworker, Fiona Hallinan, and I’m honoured to bring this offering to women of Far North Queensland.
It’s natural to have questions about new and unfamiliar bodywork modalities, so I’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
I’ll be adding new answers as more questions are asked, so be sure to check back, or see below for details to submit your own question.
What is Internal Pelvic Release Work?
Internal Pelvic Release Work is a form of functional bodywork that releases tension in the soft tissues of the pelvis, restoring balance and functionality to the pelvic floor.
My Internal Pelvic Release Work sessions combine gentle external alignment of the boney pelvis and internal release of tension in the pelvic ligaments, muscles and fascia.
This work aligns the structure of the pelvis and relieves tension in the soft tissues, increasing tone and better supporting pelvic organs, reducing pain and improving comfort in a wide range of conditions.
Who is Internal Pelvic Release Work for?
Internal Pelvic Release Work can support all women at all stages of life. It is particularly helpful for women during pregnancy, after birth including after c-section and assisted delivery, episiotomy or tears, as well as women with conditions or pain related to the pelvis, including injury, scars, surgical sites, prolapse, fibroids, endometriosis, period pain, infertility, hip pain, incontinence, loose bowels or constipation, vaginismus, discomfort during intercourse, spasm, abuse and trauma.
What happens in an Internal Pelvic Release Work session?
During your first session, I will invite you to share your story and personal history of your pelvic condition. Together we will explore and discuss your unique pelvic anatomy to support your knowledge and connection with your pelvic space, pelvic bones and soft tissues.
Next we will use gentle external pelvic alignment techniques in the form of supported stretches, side lying and forward leaning positions, utilising gravity to support realignment of the boney pelvic structure.
The internal release portion of each session involves accessing the pelvis through the back vaginal wall with tender, focused touch, along with guided breathing, to release tension from the soft tissues.
We will finish with guidance on self care and further self release work that can be continued at home alone or with the help of a partner.
How can I expect to feel during a session?
The experience of receiving Internal Pelvic Release Work is unique to each individual.
Often with the physical release of tension comes emotional release, as we store emotions and trauma in our soft tissue, particularly in the pelvis.
For some women, there can be some tears, deep crying or even laughter. Whatever comes up for you, the space is held for you to feel and release these emotions safely.
The physical sensation of the internal release can also differ depending on the sensitivity and receptivity of your internal tissues. For most women, it feels like gentle pressure. You may notice some areas feel softer and seem to ‘melt’ away whereas others may hold tension and resistance, and I gently stay in these areas while you work with your breath until they release. There is no force, and no rush.
How is Internal Pelvic Release Work different to pelvic physio?
Pelvic physio usually involves assessing and testing pelvic floor function, and then prescribing strengthening exercises, or a device such as a pessary for pelvic prolapse, and in some cases, referral for surgery.
Internal Pelvic Release Work involves actively finding and releasing tension throughout the pelvic bowl, and restoring alignment and balance in the pelvis, which can in turn support the function and strength of the pelvic floor.
I often have women come to me after seeing a physio because the exercises they’ve received aren’t working, or they’re unable to perform them, which is because of the tightness, tension and imbalance in the pelvic muscles.
Once the pelvis is aligned and tension is released, they immediately notice the improvement in their ability to hold pelvic floor exercises, and I work in collaboration with pelvic physios who have recorded the prompt improvement in their clients’ pelvic floor function.
Can’t I just use kegel exercises?
Kegels are a form of pelvic floor exercise intended to gradually strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Whereas Internal Pelvic Release Work helps to actively release pelvic floor tension and restore alignment, supporting pelvic floor function with fast results.
This work supports the brain and body connection too, allowing us to reconnect with the pelvis and restore sensation to areas that have been numbed by injury or trauma.
Together, this can help immensely with the ability to perform kegels.
Can Internal Pelvic Release Work help with pelvic prolapse?
Yes! Often uterine and pelvic organ prolapse can be caused by tension and imbalance in the pelvic space. For example, tension in one area of the pelvis can be pulling the organs out of alignment. Having the tension release and alignment through the pelvis allows the imbalanced or prolapsed organ to come back into place. When the pelvis, ligaments and organs are in alignment, kegels and pelvic floor exercises are more effective too.
How can Internal Pelvic Release Work help with recovery after perineal tears, episiotomy, laparoscopy, pelvic surgery or sutures?
Any scarring in the pelvic area can create adhesions that pull on the soft tissue (fascia, ligaments, muscles and organs) in the pelvis, creating tension and misalignment. In addition to releasing this tension and restoring alignment and balance, internal pelvic release work can support relaxing scar tissue through touch, as well as providing scar healing protocols to follow at home.
Can internal pelvic release work help after c-section?
Yes. Pelvic tension, prolapse and misalignment can occur after any pregnancy, regardless of the mode of birth. After c-section, there is also the addition of multiple layers of suturing and scar tissue which can cause adhesions and pulling. So we can incorporate fascia release to further support healing of these scar tissues, and healing protocols to follow at home.
How can Internal Pelvic Release Work help in pregnancy?
Pelvic pain and prolapse during pregnancy is often due to tension and misalignment in the pelvis. Tension and misalignment can also lead to a malpositioned baby. For example, if the right side of the pelvis is tighter than the left, it can not only cause tension, pelvic floor disfunction and pain for the mother, but may also lead a baby to become stuck.
If we can relieve that tension and restore alignment during pregnancy or even in labour, we can support baby’s positioning and create space, bringing comfort and helping the baby move through the pelvis more easily.
A lot of people don’t realise the ligaments coming from the uterosacral ligament, pubic bone and transverse ligaments also connect to the cervix, so if there’s tension in any of those areas, the cervix might not open as easily or evenly.
By doing this work, we can support dilation of the cervix too.
Is Internal Pelvic Release Work safe for survivors of trauma or abuse?
I have an extensive background and training in trauma informed practice. During each session, I am holding space for the body, mind and heart (emotions). You are welcome to bring a support person, and you are always in control of what is happening at all times.
We work at your pace, and you decide how we move through the session.
We work on finding the source of your tension and achieving the release together.
Often the release of emotion happens at the same time as the physical release, which can look like tears, crying, deep wailing or even laughing.
How is Internal Pelvic Release Work different to yoni massage and yoni mapping?
Yoni massage is generally a sensual massage or tantric practice. Internal Pelvic Release Work is not that.
My work is professional, specialised, functional bodywork that works with the soft tissue, ligaments and boney structure of the pelvis to support softening, restore alignment, and bring about release of tension, resulting in pain relief and improved pelvic floor function, allowing blood, fluids, hormones and energy to flow more freely.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
No preparation is required. Just bring yourself along to receive nurturing care.
If you’d like to try Internal Pelvic Release Work for yourself, you can book an appointment with me.
If you have a question about Internal Pelvic Release Work, leave it in the comments box below or visit the Connect page to send a confidential query.