Help For Pelvic Pain Sufferers

By Mary Nalls, PT, MPT

Back In Motion Physical Therapy

. https://backinmotionpt.com/

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Help For Pelvic Pain Sufferers

The prevalence of chronic pelvic pain syndrome is 9%, effecting millions of women and men. Although this is a common problem it can take years and many doctor’s visits to be accurately diagnosed. Pelvic floor physical therapists understand the many faces of pelvic pain and provide effective conservative treatments that provide relief for those suffering with pelvic pain.

Pelvic pain can presents itself as pain with sexual intercourse, bladder and bowel pain, killer pain associated with menstrual periods, pelvic girdle, groin, vaginal, rectal and perineal pain.

There are multiple sources of pelvic pain. It can originate from the pelvic or abdominal organs, muscles, joints, fascia, spine, and hips.

Pelvic pain can lead to muscle spasms in the pelvic floor muscles.  These muscles can become hypertonic and tight or the opposite can occur, the pelvic floor muscles can become weak. Both non-relaxing and weak pelvic floor muscles can be a major contributor of pelvic pain.

Here’s a list of the most common diagnoses associated with pelvic pain:

• Dyspareunia: This is pain associated with vaginal penetration during sexual intercourse. It often occurs after pregnancy at three months postpartum or it can be associated with endometriosis, menopause, and other conditions.

• Interstitial cystitis: Also known as painful bladder syndrome, this is defined as chronic pelvic pain (lasting  greater than 6 months), pressure or discomfort perceived to be related to the urinary bladder and accompanied by at least one other urinary symptom such as increased urinary urge or frequency.

• Levator ani syndrome: When the levator ani deep muscles don’t relax, constant or frequent pain in the rectum or anus is experienced.

• Vulvodynia: This is pain or discomfort at the vulva lasting greater than three months that usually presents as burning pain.

• Pelvic floor dysfunction: The function of pelvic floor muscles is to support the pelvic organs, prevent incontinence, allow for ease of defecation and urination and they provide a sexual function. Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause constipation, painful sexual intercourse, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary frequency, chronic pelvic pain and both urinary and fecal incontinence.

• Endometriosis: This is a common condition that causes chronic pelvic and/or abdominal pain and very painful periods. One in 10 women suffer from this condition however most women see eight doctors over 10 years before getting diagnosed. This is a complex condition and the symptoms vary.

• Vaginismus: This is instantaneous and involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles in anticipation of vaginal penetration causing the inability to participate in sexual intercourse.

What to Expect During Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

A pelvic health physical therapist will provide a thorough subjective and objective evaluation and develop a treatment program specific to your problems and goals.

Treatments may include one or more of the following:

• Manual therapy – internal and external techniques

• Visceral mobilization

• Therapeutic Exercises

• Neuro-muscular reeducation

• Specific functional training

• EMG biofeedback

• Electric stimulation

Many women and men with chronic pelvic floor problems have never been treated by a pelvic health physical therapist. Don’t suffer in silence – contact a provider who has experience treating these conditions and get the help you need.