The health of your digestive tract is crucial for your overall health. From the condition of your hair, nails and skin to more serious conditions.

Poor gut health has been linked to food inflorescence mental health conditions, behavioral problems, Asthma, Eczema, and Psoriasis and auto immune conditions.

It also impacts your Pelvic Floor health.

Small Intestine

Your small intestines are covered in hair like Villi. These help absorb nutrients in to the bloodstream.

When these Villi become damaged, the surface area of the gut is reduced so it’s harder for the body to absorb nutrients. They also produce the enzymes necessary for the digestion of carbohydrates.

The lining of the gut can become permeable and particles of food pass in to the bloodstream where they can create an immune response and food sensitivities.

The Microbiome of the gut can also become compromised and lead to an imbalance, candida, overgrowth of various yeasts and bacteria, as well as parasites. These can also pass through in to the Psoas muscle.

Psoas Muscle

The Psoas muscle (pronounced So-As) originates from the lumbar spine. It goes through the Pelvic and joins the femur. Known as the Hip Flexor; it’s what lifts the leg towards the chest so important for walking.

It sits deep in the body and as you can see from the image above comes from either sided of the Lumbar Spine creating a girdle and stabilising the spine and hips.

If it becomes tight it can cause Lordosis, curvature of the lower spine - leading to back pain and imbalances in the pelvis.

Good postural aliment, conditioned and flexible muscles are vital for Pelvic Floor health.

The Psoas also sits right next to the digestive tract and because of it’s location in the body is linked to digestive function and the nervous system.

Nerves that supply the digestive system pass through the Psoas muscle. If you live a high stress life or have experienced traumas as many of us have in some way, the Psoas becomes tight.

It was said by Ellen Head, renound Somatic educator, the Psoas is quite possibly the most important muscle in the body.

You can hopefully see from my explanation above that our gut and Pelvic Floor health are intrinsically linked to one another. Any dysfunction in either the gut or Pelvic Floor can cause a severe impact on our over all health.

SIDE NOTE: It’s worth noting that the Diaphragm which you can also see is linked to the Psoas muscle plays a vital part in the function of the Pelvic Floor.

What Can Help?

I know from personal experience what a nightmare having a gut health issue is. Several years ago they thought I had Crones so I did a lot of investigating in to gut health. After trying several diets and elimination I eventually got help from a fantastic consultant who finally diagnosed SIBO and holistic therapies, including dealing with my emotional/mental triggers I’m grateful to have recovered.

One of the miraculous things I discovered was Bone Broth.

It’s held in high esteem for its gut healing qualities. Helping heal ‘leaky gut’ or gut permeability.

Its very high in Collagen which creates a soothing barrier and helps repair and helps constipation. It’s also got fantastic bonus benefits of being brilliant for hair, skin and nails.

Chicken Bone Broth Recipe

This is my favourite and very simple Chicken Bone Broth recipe.

1kg Organic Chicken wings
2 Celery sticks
2-3 carrots
1 Red Onion

Quarter the onion and chop the carrots. Add all in to a large pan, I put the Celery in whole, and cover with water.

Bring to the boil and skim off the white foam from the top of the pan. Turn down and simmer for 1-2 hours. This is a very approximate. I wait until its reduced by about half.

Drain off all the liquid and pick out the meat and carrots. If you want add salt and pepper or Parsley to the broth.

You can make soups with the broth, use the meat with salads ect or add back all back in and drink as it is. That’s how I prefer it :o)

It’s important not to drain off all the fat. That where the good stuff is!

You can make this from any uncooked bones including fish depending on your personal taste.

It was recommended for me to drink a cup of this 3 x a day which was so helpful. I’ve since recommended it to lots of my clients over the last few years who also found it brilliant.

I’ll follow this up with another blog with some other recommendations for gut health protocols and how to help tight Psoas muscles.

Enjoy!

Big Love
Nikki xx