Pelvic Pain

Many patients suffer from pelvic pain, which may include lower abdominal pain, numbness or tingling in the vaginal/penile region. Male pelvic pain and female pelvic pain may also include painful intercourse or be associated with pain during sitting, such as through a movie or a long meeting. It may affect urination and may be caused or worsened by low back pain.

Pelvic pain is often connected to problems within the joints, nerves and muscles around the pelvis. Contributing factors to this may be scars from surgery, child birth, weak abdominal musculature , poor posture, etc . Often times, patients who have been in pain for a number of weeks begin unconsciously holding parts of their body in a tense position to protect themselves from further pain. These positions contribute to weakness and painful muscles, strained joints and compressed nerves that further add to the condition.

    Other contributors often associated with pelvic pain may include:

  • Vaginismus – Inability to penetrate the vagina due to muscle spasm;
  • Vulvodynia – Chronic vulvar discomfort; characterized by burning, irritation, rawness, and inability to have penetration without pain;
  • Vulvar Vestibulitis – Severe pain on vestibular touch or vaginal entry; erythema (redness) in vestibule and bartholin gland openings.

Core Strengthening On Exercise Ball

Treatment

A physical therapist, with experience in dealing with pelvic floor pain will provide a thorough evaluation of the muscles and joints around the pelvis, with specific emphasis placed on the pelvic floor. Patient programs may include some of the following:

  • Manual therapy techniques for tight or tense muscles.
  • Electrical stimulation, TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), heat, cold or ultrasound for pain relief to tissues.
  • Exercises designed specifically to address involved muscles.
  • Manual improvement of joint motion.
  • Teaching patients to change poor habits such as muscle holding patterns in a tense position.
  • RUSI (rehabilitative ultrasound imaging)
  • Education for proper rest positions, relaxation techniques, and work postures.
If you think physical therapy would reduce your pelvic floor pain, contact Midwest Physical Therapy Services to begin a program under the guidance of a therapist who specializes in this area.