Understanding the Unseen: Exploring the Root Causes of Pelvic Pain
One of the Sternen Physical Therapy patients was dealing with persistent pain, and she didn’t know what to do about it. Part of the problem was that the pain was situated in her pelvic area, making it hard to talk about. But a visit to our team helped her better understand pelvic pain causes–and how to say goodbye to pelvic pain for good.
There are many reasons why you might experience pelvic pain. Some of them, such as endometriosis or pelvic organ prolapse, have a clear diagnosis. Other times, your pelvic pain may stem from issues with the pelvic structure itself.
The first step in addressing pelvic pain is uncovering its cause. In the case of our patient, the muscles in her pelvic floor had become overly tight due to giving birth the year before. A program of targeted pelvic floor exercises, combined with myofascial release, helped ease those restrictions–and her pain.
Want to learn more about pelvic pain causes? Keep reading–or make an appointment at our Cleveland clinic to discuss your particular symptoms in a discreet, nonjudgemental space.
The Pelvic Floor and How It Can Cause Pelvic Pain
Your pelvic floor is a sling of muscles situated in your pelvic cavity. You can’t see these muscles, but they play a significant role in your health. They…
- Support your pelvic organs, including your bladder, bowels, and, in women, the sexual organs.
- Help you urinate and defecate properly
- Play a role in sexual function (including sexual pleasure)
- Play a role in childbirth
Like any other muscle in your body, the pelvic floor can become weak or restricted. This then leads to several symptoms, including pelvic pain. Other symptoms might accompany this pain, too, such as incontinence or sexual dysfunction.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can also lead to pelvic organ prolapse, which occurs when one of the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel, or uterus) bulges out of its normal position. The condition isn’t life-threatening, but it can be painful.
If pelvic floor dysfunction is the root of your pain, our therapists will work to address the dysfunction through targeted exercise, manual therapy techniques, and more.
Other Potential Causes of Pelvic Pain
Not all pelvic pain stems from pelvic floor dysfunction. Several medical conditions can cause pain in the pelvic area, and it’s important to rule those out before seeking pelvic floor therapy. Conditions like urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, or kidney stones require medical attention rather than physical therapy.
That said, there are some pelvic pain conditions that physical therapy can’t treat but can help manage. The pelvic floor therapy techniques we use to manage pelvic floor dysfunction can offer relief from menstrual cramps, for example.
Pelvic floor therapy can also play a role in managing endometriosis, an extremely painful condition that occurs when uterine-like material grows outside of the uterus. We offer several techniques to help manage pain, including pelvic floor strengthening exercises and modalities like electrotherapy.
Know the Cause, Find the Solution
The Sternen Physical Therapy physical therapists are here to help you get to the bottom of your pelvic pain. Understanding pelvic pain causes allows us to better provide customized treatment options to manage or address the issue.
If you’re struggling with pelvic pain, request an appointment to meet with one of our physical therapists!