Chronic Pelvic Pain
Physiotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is often misunderstood; it is frequently associated with overactive pelvic floor and the presence of trigger points and tension. The pain can be diffuse throughout the pelvis or localized to one spot. The onset of pelvic pain can be secondary to any of the following:
- Trauma to the pelvic floor during childbirth.
- Chronic constipation.
- Adhesions following surgery.
- Disorders of overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles.
- Direct trauma to the pelvic floor.
- Injury to the sacrum or coccyx.
- Unknown cause.
Disorders commonly treated at our clinic are:
- Pelvic floor / perineal pain.
- Urethral / vaginal / rectal pain.
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Vulvodynia.
- Vaginismus.
- Ansimus.
- Interstitial cystitis.
- Pudendal neuralgia.
- Coccydynia.
Treatment includes assessment of the pelvis, the perineum, the pelvic floor, the abdomen and often the muscles and fascia of the thighs. Techniques used are:
- Trigger point therapy.
- Connective tissue manipulation.
- Dry Needling.
- Manual therapy of the pelvis.
- Postural rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation also involves learning how to reduce and control the tone in the pelvic floor through specific exercises. Ultimately the aim is to restore normal balance and function to the muscles and relieve pain.
Please visit our Pelvic Physiotherapy web site.
Please click to view or download our article on Overactive Pelvic Floor Muscles.
We treat both men and women for chronic pelvic pain. Please see our section on Men's Health.