Causes - Pelvic Pain

CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN is a very debilitating condition. It is the term used to describe any pain condition that has been present in the Pelvic Floor, lower abdominal or pelvic region for 6 months or more. It includes:

• PUDENDAL NEURALGIA / PUDENDAL NERVE ENTRAPMENT - Any disorders involving the pudendal nerve.
• VULVODYNIA may also be associated with pudendal neuralgia but has a classification of its own.
• INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS is a disorder affecting the bladder muscle but there are symptoms of pain as well as URINARY URGENCY and URINARY FREQUENCY.
• VAGINISMUS is an overactivity of the PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES and pain occurs on attempted intercourse.
• PROCTODYNIA and ANISMUS are both disorders of pain and overactivity in the Pelvic Floor muscles.

All of these disorders have OVERACTIVE PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES in common and respond well to release techniques of manual therapy to stretch the muscles and CONNECTIVE BREATHING techniques to release tension. The multidisciplinary team is important as topical and oral medication may be necessary and diagnostic procedures may be indicated, less often surgery is indicated and is hopefully avoided as conservative treatment should work.

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