Pelvic Floor Pain Treatment
Pelvic pain or pelvic floor dysfunction is a common issue faced by both men and women. The condition may refer to a variety of underlying problems involving overuse/underuse of the pelvic floor or impairments relating to the sacroiliac joint, lower back, hip, or tailbone. Unfortunately, this condition is one that many people leave untreated. The pelvic floor is actually a part of your “core” musculature, it’s purpose being to support the bottom portion of the core where the spine and pelvis connect to the lower body. When it’s working properly, the pelvic floor supports your body with everything you do, from performing dead lifts at the gym to maintaining a sitting position at your desk. Because the pelvic floor consists of muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves just like other areas of our body, it too is prone to dysfunction for a variety of reasons.
What causes pelvic pain?
Problems with the pelvic floor may be do to improper body mechanics, lack of balanced exercises, dietary habits, pregnancy and childbirth, injury or trauma of the back, leg, hip, or neck, and even excess body weight. For women, pelvic pain is commonly caused by pregnancy and childbirth but many times it can be a result of chronic lower back SI dysfunction.
When should I seek pelvic floor pain treatment?
When symptoms of pelvic pain begin to interfere with daily activities or become too painful to bear, it’s a good idea to seek out treatment before the condition worsens. Symptoms of pelvic pain for men include penile pain, testicular pain, or groin pain while women-specific conditions include vaginal pain, vulvar pain, and vaginismus.
How can physical therapy help with pelvic floor pain?
General pelvic conditions treated by physical therapy include tailbone pain, constipation, pain with sexual intercourse, urinary incontinence, diastasis recti, back pain, SI joint dysfunction, and sciatica. Your physical therapist will discuss your medical history and perform a full body evaluation to assess posture, full body movement, general core strength and flexibility and to identify any tender or painful areas in the pelvic floor muscles. Based on the results, your physical therapist will work with you to develop a custom treatment program to meet your needs and goals. They may include treatment techniques such as:
• Manual therapy: skilled, hands-on techniques like myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization to alleviate pain symptoms and provide stability in the pelvic region.
• Custom exercises: at-home treatment techniques to help control the pelvic floor, stretch surrounding muscles in the leg and back, and improve posture.
• Patient education: to learn how to modify daily behaviors to relax the muscles of the pelvic floor and avoid pushing or straining.
Physical therapists can provide the necessary tools to treat pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, allowing you to return to your favorite activities pain-free and stronger than ever! To learn more about pelvic pain or to eliminate any current discomfort, book a physical therapy assessment today.
Request an Appointment“I have been working with Whitney and she has been great. Helped put me at ease and feel comfortable with an embarrassing issue.”
Our Locations
2701 Airline Dr Suite L
Metairie, LA 70001
Phone: (504) 475-1840
Email: hello@therapydianola.com
