Can lower back pain cause pelvic pain?

Back Pain & Pelvic Pain

The pelvis is the region of your body located between the lower back and above the legs. This includes many bones, muscles and soft tissue that work together to support the body. When an injury or condition causes pain to one of these parts of our pelvis, it can be difficult to sit, stand or a number of other activities.

Pelvic pain is an issue that is more common among women (it’s common during menstruation) but it can affect men as well. In many cases, pelvic pain is accompanied by lower back pain. When you’ve had pain and immobility in your pelvis and lower back for a long time, you may need to see a physical therapist for treatment.

How are lower back pain and pelvic pain connected?

Both pelvic pain and lower back pain have several different causes. When they occur together, it could be because they share a common cause or because you have two separate conditions or injuries. One condition that causes back pain and pelvic pain is degenerative scoliosis.

Degenerative scoliosis is a deformity of the spine that develops later in life. This can occur when the facet joints in your vertebrae deteriorate due to arthritis or a traumatic injury. When this happens, there is more pressure on your lower back and pelvis that results in pain and conditions like sciatica.

How do physical therapists treat pelvic pain and lower back pain?

Treatments for pelvic pain and lower back pain vary depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Generally, the goal of treatment is to improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles around your pelvis or lower back. Strong and flexible muscles provide better support for the bones and joints in your pelvis and lower back, which reduces pain from conditions like degenerative scoliosis.

Additional physical therapy treatments for pelvic and lower back pain can include:

  • Electrical stimulation
  • Deep tissue massage
  • Manual therapy

Visit Whatcom Physical Therapy for lower back and pelvic pain treatment

Do you have pain in your pelvis, lower back or both? Our physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy may be able to help. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.