Pelvic Pain
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is a broad term that refers to any pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen or pelvis. Pelvic pain can be severe and limit your ability to perform your daily activities. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a type of physical therapy that can help you manage symptoms of acute or chronic pelvic pain.
The physical therapists at FYZICAL South Sarasota determine the underlying cause of your pelvic pain and create an individualized treatment plan to decrease your pain, improve function, and enhance your quality of life.
The physical therapists at FYZICAL South Sarasota determine the underlying cause of your pelvic pain and create an individualized treatment plan to decrease your pain, improve function, and enhance your quality of life.
Causes of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain has many different causes, including:
- Infections of the urinary tract, digestive tract, or reproductive organs — including urinary tract infection (UTI), interstitial cystitis, or appendicitis. Symptoms of infection include pelvic pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abnormal discharge.
- Issues with your reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix or vagina) — including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, or miscarriage. Symptoms include pelvic pain, irregular or heavy periods, cramping, spotting, pain with intercourse, or infertility.
- Issues with your pelvic muscles, nerves, bones, or ligaments — including pelvic floor dysfunction, fibromyalgia, or inguinal hernia. Symptoms include pelvic pain, muscle spasms, leaking urine when coughing or sneezing, sensation of heaviness in your pelvic area, bulging at the vaginal opening, weakness, numbness, tingling, or pain radiating to your lower back or legs.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Pelvic Pain
Pelvic floor physical therapy is safe and effective for treating pelvic pain, especially when used in combination with other treatment options such as surgery and medication. It improves the functioning of your pelvic floor muscles and joints, improves blood flow, and decreases stress. It helps to decrease your pain, improve function, and prevent recurrence of your symptoms.
If you have pelvic pain, call the physical therapists at FYZICAL South Sarasota to learn more about our pelvic health and wellness program.
If you have pelvic pain, call the physical therapists at FYZICAL South Sarasota to learn more about our pelvic health and wellness program.
The Role of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Pelvic Pain
Your physical therapist will evaluate and treat the muscles of your pelvic floor, which are responsible for supporting your pelvic organs and controlling urination, bowel movements, and sexual functions.
Your pelvic floor physical therapist will teach you how to properly contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles using manual therapy, as well as stretching and strengthening exercises. This will help to improve the alignment and mobility of the joints and bones in your spine and pelvis, which may be contributing to your symptoms. Further, they may use other modalities such as cold and heat, soft tissue therapy, or ultrasound to improve blood flow to the pelvic region to improve circulation and decrease swelling. Biofeedback is also used to provide visual and auditory stimuli. Your pelvic floor physical therapist can also help you reduce stress and tension that may be contributing to your pelvic pain through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Lastly, they can help you prevent the recurrence of your symptoms by teaching you ways to maintain a healthy pelvic floor.
Your pelvic floor physical therapist will teach you how to properly contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles using manual therapy, as well as stretching and strengthening exercises. This will help to improve the alignment and mobility of the joints and bones in your spine and pelvis, which may be contributing to your symptoms. Further, they may use other modalities such as cold and heat, soft tissue therapy, or ultrasound to improve blood flow to the pelvic region to improve circulation and decrease swelling. Biofeedback is also used to provide visual and auditory stimuli. Your pelvic floor physical therapist can also help you reduce stress and tension that may be contributing to your pelvic pain through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Lastly, they can help you prevent the recurrence of your symptoms by teaching you ways to maintain a healthy pelvic floor.