Glossary

A

Alzheimer Disease: A type of dementia, characterized by confusion,
memory loss, disorientation.

Anal fistula: An anal fistula is almost always the result of a previous abscess. Just inside the anus are small glands. When these glands get clogged, they may become infected and an abscess can develop. A fistula is a small tunnel that forms under the skin and connects a previously infected anal gland to the skin on the buttocks outside the anus.

B

Bedwetter: Incontinent of urine at night while in bed.
Biofeedback: A process providing a person information about her
body through the use of instrumentation, such as blood pressure
or muscle contraction.
Bladder: The muscular sac in the pelvis that stores urine.
Bladder control: Ability to voluntarily keep urine from leaking out of
the bladder.
Bladder drill: (see bladder training) A system of therapy for incontinence
in which a patient practices holding urine for increasing
in crements of time.
Bladder suspension: A surgical procedure to position the bladder and
prevent descent in to the vagina.
Bladder training: Another term for bladder drill, a system of therapy
for incontinence in which a patient practices holding urine for
in creasing increments of time.
Burch procedure: A surgical procedure for stress incontinence, the
urethra is stabilized to prevent mobility and leakage.

C

Chronic incontinence: Urinary leakage that has occurred for over 6
months and not of a temporary nature.
Congestive heart failure: A condition where the heart as a pump
cannot perform its functions good enough to keep blood
circulating throughout the body.
Constipation: Difficulty in passing stool or passing of hard stools.
Cystocele: Protrusion or hernia of the bladder in to the vagina.

D

Diabetes: A clinical condition where there is a decrease or lack
of insulin secretion to metabolize sugars, characterized by
increase in urine output.
Diuretic medication: A drug that promotes the excretion of urine.
Double void: A technique for emptying the bladder, essentially trying
to empty the bladder twice in a short space of time.

E

Elasticity: Ability of tissue to regain its original shape after stretch ing.
Electrical stimulation: A process where electrodes, either implanted
or on the surface of the body, convey a small electrical current
for therapeutic purposes.
Enterocele: An enterocele occurs when your small intestine (small bowel) drops into the lower pelvic cavity and protrudes into your vagina, creating a bulge. An enterocele is a vaginal hernia.
Estrogen: The female hormone, responsible for secondary sex characteristics
of the female, important in vaginal, urethral and
pelvic muscle strength.

L

Levator Ani: Part of the pelvic floor muscles that stretch across the base of the pelvis, which supporting the pelvic organs like a hammock.

M

Multifidus: A very deep back muscle located right next to the bones
in the midline of your spine and pelvis. It is a key stabilizer
of the back and pelvis which allows your lower back to work
effectively and without pain. It also serves as the back of the
Pelvic Pyramid.

N

Neutral Spine: The position of the spine where the load of the trunk is
evenly distributed between the anterior and posterior structures
of the spinal column. The ideal position for optimal muscle
recruitment of TVA and multifidus.

P

Pelvic Floor Muslces ("PFM"): The pelvic floor consists of a
hammock of muscles that connect the pubis at the front to the
tailbone (coccyx) and “sitz” or ischial tuberosities at the back.
There are three main muscles that make up the pelvic floor –
pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus and ischiococcygeus. A woman’s
urethra, vagina and anus pass through these muscles and are
affected by their function. It also serves as the floor or bottom of
the Pelvic Pyramid.
Pelvic Pyramid: The transversus abdominus, multifidus and pelvic
floor form the Pelvic Pyramid (think “front, back, floor”). The
Pelvic Pyramid functions to stabilize and support the pelvis and
the spine. It also facilitates proper organ function. Weakness or
the inability to recruit any of the Pelvic Pyramid muscles affects
the effectiveness of the pyramid as a whole.
Prolapse: Protrusion of an internal organ out of its normal place, usually of the rectum or uterus outside the body when supporting muscles weaken.

R

Rectocele: A protrusion or hernia of the rectum in to the vagina.
Rectum: The portion of the colon just above the anus, or outside
opening.
Reflex incontinence: Loss of bladder control related to a problem in
the spinal cord.

S

Self-dehydration: Limiting fluid intake, enough to cause dehydration
or excessive loss of water from the body.
Skin breakdown: A break in the skin integrity, an ulcer or abrasion.
Sphincter: A circular band of muscle fibers that can close a natural
opening in the bladder, a valve, like the bladder sphincters.
Stress incontinence: Loss of urine related to physical exertion,
usu ally associated with pelvic floor weakness or sphincter
insuffi ciency.

T

Transient incontinence: Loss of bladder control that is temporary,
such as related to a urinary tract infection (treat the infection
and the incontinence is resolved).
Transversus Abdominis (TVA): The deepest muscle of the four
abdominal muscles. It is built like a corset around the trunk and
is the only abdominal muscle that attaches to our spinal joints.
One function is to stiffen the spine and stabilize the pelvis prior
to movements of the arms and legs. It also serves as the front of
the Pelvic Pyramid.

U

Ureters: Two tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder.
Urethra: Tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body.
Urge incontinence: Loss of bladder control characterized by fre quent
and urgent need to go to the bathroom.
Urinary tract infection ("UTI"): Infection of the kidneys or bladder.
Uterus: Female organ of reproduction, lies behind and just above the
bladder.

V

Vagina: Female canal to the uterus, lies behind the bladder and in
front of the rectum.
Vaginal weights: Cones designed to be used by females when
strengthening the pelvic muscles to treat incontinence.
Voiding: The act of urinating, to empty the bladder.

Pelvic Pyramid

Helping to support the pelvic floor are other muscles in the same region, such as your transversus abdominis (TVA) muscles and the multifidus muscles that run along your lower to middle spine. These three muscle groups-the pelvic floor, the abdominus (front), and the multifidi (back) form your Pelvic Pyramid.

A strong and healthy pelvic floor can enhance your quality of life, prevent or reduce issues of bladder loss, and even improve your posture and flatten your stomach. Increased blood flow to the pelvic area can even lead to sexual benefits such as increased orgasms!

Exercising your front, back, and floor is safe, effective and easy with the Total Control™ Program.

Glossary

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B

C

D

E

F

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I

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L

M

N

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R

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U

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Pelvic Pyramid