Chronic Pelvic pain is one of the most common diagnoses we see here at Magic City Physical Therapy. We wanted to highlight this diagnosis today and give you more information about how pelvic floor therapy can help.
Pelvic pain is more common in females than males. More than ½ of women who have chronic pelvic pain cut down their daily activities and 90% of women who report chronic pelvic pain also report pain with intercourse. Chronic pelvic pain impacts not only the physical health well-being but it progresses to impact their emotional health and negatively affects relationships.
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain? Acute pain happens when the body is hurt, and we get an immediate response, there is typically an obvious and immediate cause for the pain in an acute situation. Chronic pain is very different. Sometimes there is not a specific original cause or the original pain has persisted for a significant period of time. In the medical world, chronic pain is diagnosed after pain has been lasting for more than 6 months. Other changes that may signal development of chronic pain can be changes in ability to sleep, changes in appetite and bowel function with increase in constipation being a sign. Emotionally there may be more depression and anxiety or an overall feeling of dread. It may feel like you are changing your role as a caregiver, wife or employee and that it’s affecting how you’re able to do your job or take care of your family.
Chronic pelvic pain is a big umbrella term that can describe pain occurring anywhere from the belly button, down to the upper thighs. People may have pain all across this area, or it may be specific just to the vagina or the vulvar area. It may eventually spread out into the buttocks or back around to the tail bones. How your body perceives the pain can also change overtime.
Chronic pain can lead to behavioral changes regarding how you cope with the pain. It may change how much you are able to do, like take care of your kids or participate in your favorite hobbies. It can be a big emotional and psychological toll.
We unfortunately often hear from our patients way too often when they are dealing with chronic symptoms, they have been written off by many medical providers saying “Oh, you know, everything looks fine. It’s all in your head. You just need to relax. You just need to calm down.” But, they are not really getting answers to why they’re feeling what they’re feeling.
At Magic City Physical Therapy, we are here to listen and validate that chronic pain is not at all in your head. We work with women and men dealing with chronic pelvic pain on a day to day basis. Often, pelvic floor physical therapy is an integral part in helping you to start to feel like you can return to activity like you used to and live a more pain-free life. We don’t want people just living with chronic pain and think there’s nothing that can be done to help!
If you feel like you may be experiencing chronic pelvic pain, give us a call to schedule a discovery 5 minute phone call with one of our PTs to start your healing journey.
