Pelvic floor therapy can help treat this common concern.
Understanding Chronic Pelvic Pain
When pain in the pelvic area persists for six months or longer, it becomes known as chronic pelvic pain. This condition is a common concern for women, affecting up to 20% of women of reproductive age. Chronic pelvic pain can involve dull aching; sharp pain or cramping; and pressure within the pelvis that can remain steady or come and go.
Causes
Chronic pelvic pain can have many different causes and may be a symptom of certain conditions related to the digestive, musculoskeletal, and reproductive systems, among others. One common cause of chronic pelvic pain in women is endometriosis, which affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age globally. This condition occurs when the tissue meant to line the uterus grows outside it, causing inflammation and pelvic pain.
Treatment
While dealing with consistent pelvic pain can disrupt daily life for many women, treatment can help provide relief. Pelvic floor therapy can treat chronic pelvic pain for a wide range of causes and can help address underlying issues related to endometriosis. This specialized kind of physical therapy focuses on alleviating symptoms of pelvic pain through a comprehensive approach. Prior to treatment, your therapist will discuss your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan that will involve sessions to gradually improve pelvic floor strength and coordination. Through consistent physical therapy, women can manage or even eliminate chronic pelvic pain and enjoy a better quality of life.
An Expert Weighs In:
“Instead of just covering up symptoms, a pelvic specialist can help find and treat the root causes of pain. Gentle exercises, hands-on techniques, and simple lifestyle tools can calm pain, improve movement, and help you feel more in control of your body. Many people find lasting relief and are able to get back to the activities and confidence they’ve been missing. Too often I hear ‘I wish I had come sooner’ or ‘why didn’t they send me here first?’ It’s better to address these underlying conditions that contribute to the pain both before and/or after any procedures to really make the difference.”
Erin Westner, PT, PRPC
Owner, The Pelvic Method PLLC
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in advertising. While attending Lee, Rachel served as editor-in-chief and creative director for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. Since joining CMC Publications as editor, Rachel has assumed the role of managing editor, where she is responsible for the annual development and completion of seventeen publications involving health, wellness, and lifestyles articles that are published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
