What is Pelvic Pain?

 

Pelvic pain is described as pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or perineum, and is considered to be chronic when symptoms have been present for more than six months. The pain may be described as aching or burning in the area of the perineum or abdomen.

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What Causes Pelvic Pain?

 

Pelvic pain can be caused by problems such as pelvic joint dysfunction, muscle imbalance within the muscles of the pelvic floor, trunk, and/or pelvis, in-coordination in the muscles related to bowel and bladder function.

 

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What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Pain?

 

Symptoms of pelvic pain, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, may include: pain in the hip or buttock, pain in the tailbone, limited sitting tolerance, pain in the joints of the pelvis, or pain with sexual intercourse. 

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How Can Physical Therapy Help?

 

Physical therapists trained specifically in the area of pelvic health can identify the possible generators of pelvic pain and develop a treatment plan specific to the patient suffering from pelvic pain. Other treatment strategies may include biofeedback, retraining of in-coordinated muscles, postural training, and strengthening of the abdominal core muscles.

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What is Urinary Incontinence?

 

There are several types of urinary incontinence, but in general incontinence refers to the leakage of urine at inappropriate times.

- Stress incontinence is leakage of small amounts of urine when there is increased pressure on the bladder. This can happen with exercise or with sneezing, coughing, lifting or other activities.

- Urge incontinence is the leakage of medium to large amounts of urine when a person feels a sudden strong urge to urinate.

- Mixed Incontinence includes symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence. Functional Incontinence is urine leakage that occurs when a person can not get to the toilet in time.