| | Nose Creek Physical Therapy Information on Pelvic Pain | | What is pelvic pain? | | Pelvic pain is defined as pain perceived in structures related to the pelvis in men or women1. Acute pelvic pain can occur after a person has performed an unusual amount of exercise or strenuous activity2; however, sometimes for reasons that are not entirely understood, pelvic pain becomes chronic, lasting for months. Chronic pelvic pain is complex, and will vary greatly among individuals. Some people will feel pain in the lower abdominal area, in the low to mid back, in the tailbone region, or in the perineal or genital area1. Pelvic pain symptoms may also occur along with urinary symptoms. Difficulty with initiating urinating, slow or painful urine flow and urinary urgency may occur3. | | What is causing my pelvic pain? | | Certain medical conditions can cause this pain, such as endometriosis or urinary tract infections. Once your physician has ruled out such medical problems, Physical Therapy intervenes to assess and treat pain of musculoskeletal origin. In this case, pain is associated with muscle spasm or tightness in the muscles of the pelvic floor. These muscles may become tight due to previous surgeries4, labour/deliveries, repetitive overloading of the pelvic muscles5, injuries6, or previous infections7. | | Perhaps you are familiar with how areas of muscle spasm, or “knots” in your shoulder or neck muscles can lead to pain. These patterns of spasm and pain are similar to how your pelvic floor muscles behave. | Perhaps you are familiar with how areas of muscle spasm, or “knots” in your shoulder or neck muscles can lead to pain. These patterns of spasm and pain are similar to how your pelvic floor muscles behave. Often, patients will also have muscle and joint dysfunction in the low back, pelvic joints, and hips. Muscle spasm may be found in the buttocks, groin and low back area8 and can further increase pelvic pain. | | How is pelvic pain assessed and treated? | | As mentioned above, your physician should perform an initial assessment, to rule out pain from infection or organ dysfunction. | | A Physical Therapy assessment involves assessing the pelvic floor muscles: specifically their tension/tone, ability to contract and relax, and the presence of painful areas of muscle spasm. This involves an internal examination of the pelvic, similar to how a Physician would perform an evaluation. Pelvic floor assessments and treatments are always performed in a private treatment room, with the utmost attention to your dignity and confidentiality. | | Treatment involves addressing any pelvic floor muscle dysfunction found upon assessment. This may include manually stretching the areas of muscle spasm, performing trigger point release, mobilizing joints in the tailbone, low back, or hips, or giving home exercises to the patient. | | Research has shown that a comprehensive approach to pelvic pain treatment (involving education, pelvic floor muscle exercises, relaxation techniques for the pelvic muscles, breathing, and mental imagery), is effective in reducing pain and unwanted symptoms, and improving one’s ability to perform daily activities9. | | What should I do next? | If you or someone you know is experiencing pelvic pain, please call Nose Creek Sport Physical Therapy and arrange an assessment with our Women’s Health Physical Therapist, Heather Enns BScPT. She will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the assessment, prior to booking. | | | |
