At an airport gate, while waiting for my flight’s boarding announcement, I began to experience a sudden, intense pain in my lower back. This was my last flight after several weeks on a book tour, during which I had spent most of my time sitting for long stretches due to various promotional activities including posting, podcasting, and writing. Despite having made an effort to walk between my hotels and bookstores to stay active, the pain had emerged unexpectedly.
The sensation in my coccyx felt similar to a prior experience when I landed awkwardly after jumping on an inner tube in the snow. However, this time there had been no impactful incident; the discomfort arrived out of nowhere. My impending two-hour flight was daunting, as sitting became increasingly painful. I found myself leaning forward in my seat, shifting my weight to one side and attempting to rock gently to alleviate the discomfort without drawing too much attention.
At this point, I was approximately four months postpartum from my first child. Overall, my recovery had been positive; my experience with lifting weights for over ten years had left me with strong pelvic muscles. I had resumed weightlifting a couple of months after giving birth, incorporating deadlifts, squats, and other exercises into my routine. Initially, I hoped the pain would subside as mysteriously as it had appeared. Understanding that the body undergoes significant changes postpartum, I speculated that my temporary sedentary lifestyle might have caused my body to tighten excessively.
To alleviate the pain, I started performing various stretches, including crossing my ankle over my knee and pulling my knee to my chest, as well as sitting upright with my legs splayed. These activities provided some relief, but the pain continued to escalate, making it difficult to sit for longer than ten minutes—a major problem for someone reliant on prolonged sitting for writing and reading.
After several weeks of discomfort, I sought help from a physical therapist, who ultimately referred me to a pelvic floor specialist. This area of the body is not often discussed, yet it is crucial for everyone—regardless of age or gender. General understanding of pelvic floor functions typically revolves around Kegel exercises, often believed to enhance sexual function or assist in childbirth. However, Kegels represent only a fraction of the pelvic floor’s capabilities.
