Pelvic pain is one of the areas we specialize in at our Bethlehem clinic. Although it is a very common issue among women and men, not many people feel comfortable bringing it up to their health care provider.
So what exactly is pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain can encompass many different areas between your ribcage and mid thigh. This could include pain at your tailbone or on the bones that you sit on, pudendal nerve irritation or neuralgia, vaginal irritation/burning and pain, pain with sexual intercourse, pain in the abdomen, pain around cesarean scars or any abdominal scars. Basically any pains that you may be experiencing in your pelvic area inside or out.
Risk factors
- Excessive sitting on hard surfaces
- Trauma to the tailbone: i.e a fall
- History of sexual abuse or trauma
- Difficult pregnancies or deliveries
- Cesarean sections
- Long hours standing and walking on hard surfaces
- High levels of stress or anxiety
- Bending and squatting throughout the day (picking up your kids, groceries, purse, lawn equipment, etc.)
- Poor lifting mechanics
- Poor flexibility/ joint mobility
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing your pelvic pain?
With pelvic pain, there is generally tension and muscle spasms and tenderness throughout muscle or the abdomen, low back, pelvic floor, hips and thighs, as well as the buttock area. When in pain, people tend to hold tension in these muscles without being aware of it. This turns into a vicious cycle of your body trying to protect itself from pain so it tenses up.
Unfortunately, the tension in the muscle will cause increased pain.
Nerve irritation is also another common cause in pelvic pain. The main nerve that causes pain and irritation is called the pudendal nerve. It has three branches, all of which can become vulnerable especially with sitting, because this is where they are the least protected.
A complete screen from a physical therapist is required to determine the causes of your pain.
How do I get rid of my pelvic pain?
Well, that depends on what the contributing factors are, how long you have been dealing with the pain, and what the severity is. That is why it is so important to get help right away. The good news is that physical therapy is very beneficial in getting rid of or decreasing your pain significantly. One major factor in the time it takes to resolve your pelvic pain is how long you have been dealing with it. The sooner we get our hands on the patient, the less time it takes to get back to pain-free living.
Do I need to see my doctor first?
No. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are Direct Access states. This means you do not need to go to your doctor to get a prescription. We work closely with several doctors who specialize in the pelvic pain in the communities we serve, so if you do need to see a doctor, we will set that up for you.
Will my pelvic pain go away on its own?
It’s possible, but not likely. Unfortunately, most people who have a pelvic pain have suffered from if for years going from doctor to doctor with no answers. After many tests done that come back negative, most pelvic pain patients are told that is it “all in your head”. This is NOT the case. They are just not looking in the right place. It is generally the muscles, ligaments, and nerves that are contributing to pain. Pain is a warning signal in your body telling you something is wrong. Waiting for the pain to go away is not a good strategy. The quicker you get in to see a qualified physical therapist, the faster you can be on your road to recovery.
What should I do now?
The first step to eliminating your pain is finding out what is causing it. Call 610-841-3555 right now and schedule your Free Screen at any of our locations. You will get a free 30 minute appointment with one of our therapists so that you can get all your questions answered.
