Sit, stand, run, have sex & live
Not all pain is created equally and it’s important to find a PT who truly understands the pain cycle. Pain is often complex – it can be persistent or acute. Pain can affect a small, local area or be more diffuse, affecting a larger region. It can be sharp, dull, aching, throbbing, intermittent, constant, prickly, stabbing, etc. So many different ways it can show up!
A good physical therapist will ask about all of these components as the nature of your pain helps us determine potential driving and complicating factors. Some of the more common culprits of pelvic pain are the “I’s” – inflammation, irritation, infection. Other potential triggers include surgical or trauma events, orthopedic injuries, visceral issues (IBS, endometriosis, prostatitis, etc.), and hormonal fluctuation. It can even occur with no known trigger at all!
At KPP, we specialize in the neuromuscular system. During your visits, we are able to evaluate how pain presents in your day to day life and how it’s influenced by all of the other systems – nerves, organs, circulation, etc. Not only can we reduce your pain but, more importantly, we provide tools and training so you can learn to reduce pain flares and even keep pain from returning.
We also recognize that your pelvis is not the only factor in making you, well – you. We take a unique trauma-informed approach and utilize a whole-body treatment style from the way you walk to the way you breathe – looking at all of you and what role those play in your particular pain pattern.
These are just some common pelvic pain issues we help with:
Sexual Health and Pelvic Pain
Sex is an important part of a full life and it can be challenging when we feel dissatisfied with our sex lives. Whether you’re dealing with pain, hormonal changes, low arousal/desire, erectile dysfunction, early ejaculation or another kind of sexual dysfunction – we’re here to help! Throughout pelvic PT we will work together to formulate strategies to improve your unique symptoms and can help reimagine or even start one’s sexual life.
At KPP we recognize that sex, and relationship structures are beautifully diverse and fluid. We honor and affirm all identities, dynamics and couple structures. Our care is grounded in respect, inclusion, and an understanding that every body and every relationship deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Here are a few different conversations we have regarding pelvic pain and sex on a daily basis –
Dyspareunia, or painful intercourse, is a condition that can affect people of all genders and often involves discomfort or pain during or after sexual activity. It can be caused by a range of factors, including muscle tension, pelvic floor dysfunction, scar tissue, or hormonal changes.
Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles around the vagina tighten involuntarily, making penetration such as with tampons, medical exams, or sex painful or even impossible. This response is often rooted in a mix of physical and emotional factors and can feel confusing or distressing. Pelvic physical therapy can help by gently addressing muscle tension, improving awareness and control of the pelvic floor, and supporting relaxation through tailored exercises and education.
Pain with rectal insertion, whether during medical procedures, sexual activity, or when using suppositories, can stem back to an issue with the pelvic floor. This pain can be both physically and emotionally distressing, but pelvic physical therapy helps reduce muscle guarding, improve tissue mobility, and restore comfort and confidence with rectal insertion.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is also known as painful bladder syndrome. It can cause persistent bladder pressure, pain, and frequent, urgent urination. Living with IC often feels overwhelming, but pelvic physical therapy offers a safe, effective way to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
While dietary and other changes can help reduce bladder irritation for some folks with IC, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Pelvic physical therapy addresses the muscular and nervous system components that diet alone can’t reach. By working to release pelvic floor tension, improve muscle coordination, and teach effective bladder habits, pelvic PT provides a holistic approach that complements dietary and medical treatments – helping you achieve more complete, lasting relief.
Want to learn more about how we approach treatment of IC and how we can help? Read our blog post here!
Endometriosis
Endometriosis often brings chronic inflammation that can tighten muscles and disrupt posture – leading to persistent pelvic, abdominal, or back pain. Over time, this can alter muscle length and tone, contributing to discomfort and limiting what your body can do. But there is hope! Pelvic physical therapy goes far beyond kegels as it targets the root of your pain to help you reconnect with your body.
This is where we come in. Pelvic Physical Therapy for Endometriosis can help with pain reduction by using manual therapy techniques, possibly including dry needling. It can also help to lengthen and retrain muscles of the pelvis, hips, low back and abdomen as well as provide relaxation skills to help maintain the full range of motion. Additionally, we see a multitude of patients both pre and post-op excision or ablation surgery for endometriosis.
Manual therapy plays a role in restoring motility of internal organs that can be affected by endo adhesions or surgery. Once pain and mobility have improved, PT can help restore overall coordination and strength so that a patient can return to function and LIFE. As physical therapists, we can also connect you with a healthcare team that specializes in endometriosis and pelvic pain rehabilitation.
Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are incredibly common – and while they’re benign, their symptoms can be anything but. Pelvic pressure, low back pain, bloating, painful sex, constipation, or urinary urgency can all be part of the picture and we understand how disruptive this can be to your daily life.
Fibroids can create or contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, especially when they affect nearby muscles, nerves, or organs. Our PTs help address the musculoskeletal side of the equation so you can move, rest, and live with ease.