Nearly 25% of the world’s population suffer with chronic pelvic pain; conditions may include, but are not limited to:
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
- Myofascial pelvic pain
- Pelvic venous disorders/pelvic congestion syndrome
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Vulvar pain conditions
Pelvic pain can impact bowel and bladder function, intimacy, and tolerance to everyday activities. Less than 5% of those who live with this type of pain have access to healthcare providers who specialize in pelvic pain.
Pain with peeing, pooping, intimacy, and daily activity can be common, but is not normal and something that you do not have to live with.
Other symptoms that may be associated with pelvic pain conditions:
- Difficulty initiating a urine stream
- Slowed urine stream
- Urine stream that is spraying at weird or very wide angles
- Constipation or straining with bowel movements
- Difficulty with sitting or standing for long periods of time
- Difficulty or pain with orgasm
- Swelling issues in vulvar tissue, abdomen, thighs, or further down the legs
- Sensitivity of vulvar tissue to touch, certain types of clothing, soaps, etc
Treatment of these conditions SHOULD involve a multidisciplinary and multifaceted approach, including medical management, nutritional considerations, nervous system function, and, you guessed it – physical therapy!! Each and every person has a unique symptom presentation and individualized treatment is imperative to assist in optimizing function. A Pelvic PT’s role in this is assisting in figuring out what tissue could be driving your pain, assisting you in managing other contributing factors within our scope of practice, and making necessary referrals to other clinicians as needed. These factors include but are not limited to your nutrition, hydration, and nervous system function.
Pelvic pain of any kind is usually associated with some sort of pelvic floor muscle tightness/restriction/elevation in tone, whether it be a primary or secondary contributor.
Here are exercises you can do in efforts to promote pelvic floor relaxation and improve restoration of mobility in those tissues. The goals of these exercises are to restore piston-like relationship between pelvic floor and respiratory diaphragm, flexibility of adductor/groin and abdominal muscles, and spinal mobility. These should be gentle and relaxing, so use props or decrease range of motion as needed for your body.
Please reference some of our other blog posts on constipation management and urinary urgency if either of these are part of your individual symptoms for some ideas on management strategies. You can also reference our Pelvic Health Tips and Resources for comprehensive education to help improve your pelvic health.
Know that you are not alone and that there are clinicians out there ready to listen, validate, and assist you in management of your pain. We see you! If you’d like to make an appointment with one of our pelvic health specialists to help customize your treatment to work to alleviate your pelvic pain, request an appointment here.
In health and wellness,
Dr. Cassie McDonald Ross, PT, DPT
