Pelvic Pain Relief

Pelvic pain is discomfort in the lower abdomen (stomach area), pelvis, or perineum (the space between the rectum and the scrotum or vagina). There are numerous possible causes. Pelvic pain is about 20% of Americans, including men and women. It is more prevalent in women. When pelvic pain lasts more than six months, it is considered chronic.

Physical therapists assist people suffering from pelvic pain in regaining power, versatility, and function in the muscles and joints of the pelvic region. They help people in returning to their normal activities.

Physical therapists are experts in movement. They improve people’s lives by providing hands-on care, patient education, and giving prescription movement. You can request an evaluation from a physical therapist directly.

What is Pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain can affect both men and women and can be caused by infections, organ abnormalities, or pain from the pelvic bones.

Pelvic pain is commonly associated with pain in the region of a woman’s reproductive organs; however, it can occur in both men and women and can be caused by various factors. Pelvic pain can be caused by infection or pain in the pelvic bone or non-reproductive internal organs. Pelvic pain, on the other hand, can be an indication of a problem in one of the reproductive organs in the pelvic area in people who are designated female at birth (DFAB) (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina).

Pelvic floor Physical Therapy

The pelvic floor muscles support your pelvic organs (bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs) and help you maintain bladder and bowel control. These pelvic muscles, like any other muscle group, may be too strict or weak to function correctly. The primary objective of pelvic floor physical therapy is to enhance and relax these muscles to improve function and relieve pain.

A pelvic floor physical therapist will start to learn about your medical history and educate you on how your pelvic floor’s muscles, organs, and tissues work together. After they have determined your needs, they will resume work with you to alleviate any pain or dysfunction.

This therapy is classified into two types: external and internal. Externally, your therapist can manipulate your pelvic muscles and tissues as needed by using deep tissue massage, skin rolling, and other types of manual therapy, as also modalities such as heat, ice, and electrical stimulation.

Pelvic floor physical therapy can also be done internally. Your therapist may insert their finger or vaginal dilators into your vagina or rectum to assess or identify trigger points and painful areas.

Of course, many women seek pelvic floor physical therapy even though they find penetration painful or uncomfortable; however, internal medicine is not required for this treatment to be effective. Your physical therapist can also work with you over several appointments to get you to the point where you can accept permeation if you want to.

How does it Feel?

Your lower abdomen and pelvic pain may vary. Some people describe it as an aching pain. Others describe the pain as burning, sharp, stabbing, or as “pins and needles.” You could also have:

1. Hip or buttock discomfort
2. Pain in the pubic bone or tailbone.
3. Pelvic joint pain is a common complaint.
4. Tenderness in the abdominal, low back, or buttock muscles.
5. A feeling of swelling in the pelvic area.
6. A sensation of sitting on something challenging, such as a golf ball.

What causes Pelvic pain in women?

Pelvic pain is felt in the lower abdomen, between the belly button and the groin. Pelvic pain in some people may indicate menstrual cramps, ovulation, or a gastrointestinal problem, such as food intolerance. It can also arise as a result of a more serious issue.

Pelvic pain can sometimes indicate an infection or a problem with the area’s reproductive system or other organs. In this case, a person should consult a doctor.

• Menstrual pain and cramps

Cramping during menstruation is a frequent cause of pelvic pain. Each cycle, more than half of menstruating women will experience pain for at least 1-2 days. Menstrual cramping typically occurs just before a person’s period begins, as the uterus contracts and shacks its lining. The pain could feel like a muscle spasm or a jabbing pain.

Using a warm heat pad to relieve the sensation may help. Over-the-counter medications may also provide pain relief.

• Ovulation

If a woman feels a patient’s feelings on one side of her pelvis during her menstrual cycle, she may suffer from mittelschmerz. Doctors use this German term to describe stressful ovulation.

When a woman ovulates, her ovaries release an egg and other fluid. After that, the egg will travel through the fallopian tube and into the uterus. The fluid secreted by the ovary can join the abdominal cavity and pelvis, irritating.

The pain could last minutes or hours, and it could switch sides of the body depending on which ovary released the egg. The pain is only temporary and does not require any special treatment.

• Interstitial cystitis

It is also possible for a person to have ongoing bladder inflammation with no known cause. Interstitial cystitis is the medical term for this condition, and doctors are presently uncertain why it occurs.

Interstitial cystitis can cause pelvic pain and symptoms, including frequent urination. Treatment frequently entails symptom management to the greatest extent possible.

• Tumor

Pain in the pelvis may be caused by a malignant growth in the reproductive system, urinary tract, or gastrointestinal system in rare cases. Depending on where the tumor appears, it could also cause other symptoms.

To identify a tumor, doctors will conduct a thorough examination, which may include blood and imaging tests. They will suggest possible treatments once they have diagnosed the problem.

• Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts develop when the ovaries fail to produce an egg. The follicle containing the egg may not be fully open or become blocked up with fluid. When this occurs, a cyst forms in the area, causing bloating, pressure, or pelvic pain on the side of the body with the cyst.

According to research, the majority of cysts are noncancerous and disappear on their own. However, a cyst can bleed or burst, causing sharp, extreme pain in the pelvis and necessitating medical treatment.

Ultrasound can detect ovarian cysts, and doctors may recommend treatments ranging from constant watching and waiting to surgery.

How can a Physical Therapist help?

Your physical therapist will design a treatment plan based on their findings to meet your specific needs and goals. Your physical therapist might suggest the following:

• Show you how to recognize the right muscles, such as the pelvic floor, deep abdominals, and diaphragm.
• Teach you how to properly use these muscles. Your physical therapist can teach you how to do activities such as:

1. Exercise
2. Correcting your posture
3. Getting up from a chair
4. Squatting to pick up a child or an object from the floor

• Work with you on stretching and strengthening exercises for the affected muscles. The goal is to get your muscles to work together as efficiently as possible.
• Teach you how to do the proper pelvic-floor muscle exercises.
• Get back to doing what you can before your pelvic pain starts.

What kind of Physical therapist do I need?

Physical therapists are all educated and trained to treat various conditions and injuries. Consider the following:

• A physical therapist who has prior experience treating patients with pelvic health issues.
• A physical therapist who has completed a residency or fellowship in women’s health. This physical therapist possesses extensive knowledge, expertise, and skills relevant to your condition.
• A board-certified physical therapist who specializes in women’s health physical therapy.
• A physical therapist who has received a certificate from the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy’s CAPP-Pelvic program.