Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain is commonly associated with an overactive pelvic floor and the presence of trigger points and tension.

  • Bladder pain and urgency
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Coccyx pain
  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic floor pain
  • Pudendal neuralgia

Pelvic Floor Weakness/Dysfunction

The pelvic floor muscles are often described as a hammock, lifting and supporting the pelvic organs above. These muscles need to be able to contract to keep us continent, but also they must relax to allow for urination, bowel movements, childbirth and sexual intercourse.

Problems with the pelvic floor can occur when these muscles are too weak (hypotonic) or too tight (hypertonic).

When the pelvic floor muscles are weakened, the hammock becomes less effective at supporting the pelvic organs, causing symptoms such as urinary or bowel incontinence, urgency and pelvic organ prolapse.

When the pelvic floor muscles are too tight they can cause urinary frequency, urgency, hesitancy or incomplete emptying and painful urination as the muscles are unable to relax fully to allow the passage of urine down the urethra. You may also experience constipation or pain with bowel movements, unexplained pain in your low back, pelvic region or genital area, pain during or after intercourse, orgasm, or sexual stimulation due to the tension in these muscles.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy involves exercises for strengthening and retraining the pelvic floor muscles and Pilates-based stability exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles which impact on the strength of the pelvic floor.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is felt as a feeling of vaginal heaviness, often relieved by rest and aggravated by lifting and impact exercise, but can be managed effectively with physiotherapy.

Treatment by an experienced women’s health physiotherapist utilises targeted muscle rehabilitation, a home exercise programme, lifestyle and postural changes to improve the prolapse position and reduce discomfort.

If you suspect that you have a prolapse, or have been diagnosed with one, an assessment with Fiona can guide you on how best to manage your symptoms

Slim blonde lifting her pelvis on exercise mat at home in the living room
Pilates woman pelvic lift fitball exercise workout at gym indoor swiss ball

Conditions commonly treated by a women’s health physiotherapist include:

Sexual dysfunction (vaginismus and vulvodynia)

Bladder pain and urgency

Interstitial cystitis

Coccyx pain

Endometriosis

Pelvic floor pain

Pudendal neuralgia

Treatment includes assessment of the back, pelvis, abdomen and pelvic floor, with the aim of normalising balance and function and relieving pain.

If you are experiencing chronic pelvic pain and would like to schedule an appointment or discuss what physiotherapy can do for you please contact Fiona on (064) 6670960.

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