Belly Breathing Is Keeping Your Pelvic Floor Patients Stuck… Here’s Why

Dr. Becky Allen argues that “belly breathing” is often mistakenly cued as diaphragmatic breathing and can reinforce pressure strategies that drive pelvic floor symptoms. While the diaphragm is used in all breathing, belly-dominant expansion directs pressure forward and down, reinforces external rotation and anterior orientation of the pelvis, compresses the posterior pelvis and rib cage, shortens the posterior pelvic floor, and over-lengthens the anterior pelvic floor and abdominals, contributing to leaking, prolapse, heaviness, persistent pain, and SI joint pain. Using a 30-week pregnant patient with severe SI pain as an example, Dr. Becky emphasizes restoring rib cage mobility and 360° expansion—especially posterior and lateral—to distribute pressure more evenly, improve diaphragm mechanics, and optimize pelvic floor length-tension. Clinically, she recommends tactile cueing with hands on the lateral rib cage and coaching patients to “allow” breath into that pressure without forcing or sucking in.(00:00) - Belly Breathing Myth(02:06) - Pregnancy SI Pain Case(04:09) - Why Belly Breathing Hurts(09:09) - Rib Cage 360 Breathing(12:20) - Hands-On Cueing Tips(16:18) - Key Takeaways(17:50) - Wrap Up And ShareClinicians, be sure to learn about Dr. Becky and Dr. Corrie’s Pelvic Powerhouse Clinical Mastermind: https://www.thepelvicpowerhouse.com/group-clinical-mastermind-2026-live Grab your free guides:* From the Ground Up: The Foot + Pelvic Floor Connection: https://www.thepelvicpowerhouse.com/fromthegroundup* From the Top Down: From the Ribcage to the Pelvic Floor: https://www.thepelvicpowerhouse.com/fromthetopdown Follow Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckypelvicpt/ Follow Genesis PT and Wellness on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisptwellness Subscribe to "From the Ground Up with Dr. Becky Allen”: * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/47eQP84 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QMmH0LDL0CrCEvVpJaOzd * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-u4n/ Pelvic health professionals, if you want to grow your practice, provide great patient care, and create the life and business you love, then visit The Pelvic Powerhouse: https://www.thepelvicpowerhouse.com/ "From the Ground Up with Dr. Becky Allen” is the podcast for pelvic health pros who are done playing small in the clinic or in business. Your host is Dr. Becky Allen, a physical therapist and the founder and visionary of Genesis PT & Wellness. As your coach, Becky will share with you what it really takes to lead a mission-driven, team-powered, game-changing pelvic health practice.