Pelvic Pain

               Statistics say 1 out of 7 American women suffer from pelvic pain, yet for most, the disease goes untreated or unidentified. Pelvic rehab is a non-surgical approach to dysfunctions in the pelvis that contribute to bowel, bladder, sexual health, and pain complaints. Approaches may include behavioral strategies, manual therapies, modalities, therapeutic exercise, and functional re-training of the pelvic floor muscles.
              The pelvis is lined with muscles called the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor acts as a stabilizer of the pelvis and it helps to support the organs of the pelvis. If the pelvic floor muscles cannot effectively coordinate contractions and relaxation, it is called a pelvic floor dysfunction.
       
Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction that can be helped by pelvic rehab:

•  Pain in the low back or hips
•  Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Urinary frequency or burning pain with urination
• Urinary incontinence
• Pain limiting sexual function
• Inability to tolerate vaginal penetration such as a gynecological exam 

 Treatment may include:

• External/internal manual therapy including trigger point release to pelvic floor musculature that is causing your pain.
• Biofeedback/electrical stimulation to help strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles. 
• Patient education in home exercise program to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and core along with functional re-training of the pelvic floor muscles to improve quality of life. 

   If you are suffering from any one of these symptoms above or if you have any questions regarding pelvic floor rehab, please call St.Francis Physical Therapy at 763-753-8804.  

Kaitlyn Grell, LPTA 

St.Francis Physical Therapy