Your pelvic muscles are responsible for supporting a lot of your body weight. When they are damaged or weakened, it’s difficult to hold yourself up. Pelvic pain is more common among women because it can develop during pregnancy and childbirth. However, pelvic pain can still affect men for different reasons, such as abdominal surgery. If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, a physical therapist can provide treatment.
Pelvic pain that lasts for weeks or months is considered chronic and can benefit from professional help. At Whatcom Physical Therapy, our physical therapists assist pelvic pain patients by strengthening the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic area. Strengthening these muscles should help provide the support your body needs to continue doing the things you love.
What are the symptoms of pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain is generally described as a sharp, stinging, burning pain. Patients typically feel this pain in the following areas:
- Hips and buttock
- Abdomen and lower back
- Tailbone
- Pelvic joints
The symptoms associated with this pain include:
- Incontinence and constipation
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty bending or moving the hips
- Loss of balance
- Pain from sexual activity
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical assistance for pelvic pain treatment before the symptoms grow worse or lead to permanent disabilities and more pain.
How physical therapy helps pelvic pain patients
Treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and your overall health. To get a proper diagnosis and form a personalized treatment plan, your physical therapist will perform a physical examination to identify sources of the pain.
Each patient’s treatment is personalized to their individual needs. Typically, a pelvic pain treatment will include some of the following:
- Exercises and stretches to strengthen the pelvic muscles
- Deep tissue massage
- Breathing exercises to help relax the pelvic area
- Biofeedback to help identify areas that require more attention
Are you experiencing pelvic pain related to pregnancy, surgery or other causes? The team at Whatcom Physical Therapy wants to help you feel strong and independent again. Please contact one of our offices to schedule an appointment. We have three different locations in Northwestern Washington for your convenience.
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