174- Help! I’m Tight AND Weak — What Do I Actually Do? // My Rehab Approach For Women Who Want to Get Stronger Without Making Things Tighter

Have you ever been told your pelvic floor is weak, so you start doing kegels… but things actually feel worse? Maybe you feel tight, tense, or guarded, yet you’re still experiencing symptoms like leaking, pelvic pressure, pain, or instability. You’re not crazy — and your body isn’t broken. One of the most common patterns pelvic floor physical therapists see is tight AND weak muscles at the same time. When muscles are constantly gripping or guarding, they often become fatigued, poorly coordinated, and unable to generate true strength. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down why tightness and weakness often coexist and walks you through the step-by-step rehab process for restoring pelvic floor and core function safely. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should stretch more, strengthen more, or rest, this episode will help you understand what your body actually needs. In This Episode You’ll Learn ✔ Why pelvic floor muscles can be tight and weak at the same time ✔ The biggest mistake women make when trying to strengthen their core ✔ Why doing more kegels isn’t always the answer ✔ The step-by-step rehab progression pelvic floor PTs use ✔ How to move from pain and tension → strength and confidence The Pelvic Floor RESTORE Rehab Roadmap Healing the pelvic floor isn’t about jumping straight into strengthening. True recovery follows a sequence: Release → Restore → Rebuild → Reload 1️⃣ Release Reduce tension and guarding through breathwork, mobility, and nervous system regulation. 2️⃣ Restore Rebuild coordination between the diaphragm, pelvic floor, and core through 360 breathing and gentle activation. 3️⃣ Rebuild Strength Progress into functional strength exercises that integrate the whole body. 4️⃣ Reload Return to higher-impact activities like running, jumping, lifting, and sports safely. Skipping these steps is one of the biggest reasons women stay stuck in cycles of pain, leaking, or pelvic pressure. Signs Your Body Is Moving In The Right Direction As your system heals you may notice: Less pelvic heaviness or pressure • Improved bladder control • Easier breathing during exercise • Better coordination and stability • Reduced pain and tension Remember: coordination comes before strength.   🌀 Ready to feel stronger, more confident, and in tune with what it needs? If you’re done guessing and googling… If you’re ready to stop modifying your workouts out of fear… If you’re ready to move, lift, run, and LIVE without leaking, pain, or pressure... Then it’s time for RESTORE — my 12-week signature pelvic floor & core rehab program Evidence-based. Nervous system-informed. Holistically healing. Inside RESTORE you’ll get: ✔️ 12 weeks of progressive breathwork, mobility & strength ✔️ 5- and 20-minute workouts to fit your life ✔️ Deep pelvic floor education (with zero fluff) ✔️ Real-life tools to reduce pain, improve leaks, and feel like YOU again ✔️ Access to our private community and support Inside RESTORE, we cover: Breathwork + pelvic floor connection Mobility + posture Nervous system regulation Core control + strength building Real-life application to everyday movement And how to stop leaking, rushing to the bathroom, or feeling disconnected from your core You’ll walk away from RESTORE with clarity, confidence, and a body you trust again. JOIN RESTORE NOW FOR INSTANT ACCESS TO LESSONS AND EXERCISES!!  JOIN NOW AND SAVE $500!! https://pelvic-floor-core-more.passion.io/checkout/86181d29-9811-4a33-80df-a82de21fa8fe Or  💎 Learn More About RESTORE below, my 12-week program that walks you step by step through pelvic floor and core healing — so you can stop leaking, reduce prolapse symptoms, and feel strong again.  https://balancedmomtality.com/restore  💖 Or Want Personalized 1:1 Coaching and Support? Book a virtual or in-person women’s health coaching/pelvic floor physical therapy session tailored to YOU. 📧 Email: PTDes@balancedmomtality.com ✨ Next Steps: 📲 Download the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App →  for guid