May is pelvic pain awareness month
Pelvic pain is an umbrella term for pain leading from some of the following sources Bladder (IC, bladder pain syndrome), Bowel (fissures, anismus, Chrohns, diverticulitis), Gynaelogical (endometriosis, andenomyosis, ovarian cysts, vaginismus) or Neurological (pudenal nerve pain, neuropathic pain). A vast number of women and men live with pelvic pain in the UK but a limited number of people suffering with conditions, like these have easy access to healthcare providers who specialise in pain.
A multidsciplinary approach, depending on the main issue makes sense. Many pelvic pain patients will work with Urologists, Colorectal specialists, Talking therapists and Gynaecologists over time.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is here to support the patient in a holistic way - to work on the overall pelvic floor, fascia and pelvic organs that are housed within the pelvis and address any pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor muscles and fascia surrounding the pelvic organs and lower abdomen offer a supportive role to what is going on within the pelvis. The pelvic nerves and blood vessels pass these muscles/tissue and our job is to ensure that that area is flexible, mobile and supportive, so good blood flow and overall body movement is possible.
A top down approach can help to calm the nervous system and allow therapy to be more effective. Any treatment or practice that can dampen or inhibit, instead of increasing or amplifying, pain signals can be helpful. Anxiety, depression and worry can be the result of pain but can also in turn then amplify pain, and so treating these can help improve quality of life and also reduce your pain. Pelvic health physio can then help to increase awareness of potential tension holding patterns, educate you on the pelvic anatomy making it feel less intimidating and show you how pain can interact with these areas. Assessment and treatment is tailored to the patient, their needs and goals.
Some useful links and resources we recommend for additional support on Pelvic Pain.
https://www.pelvicpain.org.uk/
https://www.pelvicpain.org/public/resources/educational-resources/informational-handouts
