Understanding Painful Pelvic Floor:A Hidden Struggle Worth Talking About

Every May, we observe Pelvic Floor Awareness Month—an important opportunity to shed light on issues that are often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and too often kept in silence. One of these issues is pelvic floor pain—a condition that affects people of all genders and ages, and can significantly interfere with quality of life.

At Movement Physio & Wellness, we specialize in treating the pelvic floor, and we see firsthand how disruptive pelvic pain can be. Whether it’s persistent pain with sitting, discomfort during intimacy, or a sharp ache during everyday activities like walking, pelvic floor dysfunction is more common than many realize—and most importantly, it’s treatable.

What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that stretch like a hammock from the tailbone to the pubic bone. These muscles support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, and they play a key role in urinary and bowel control, sexual function, posture, and even breathing.

When these muscles become too tight (hypertonic), too weak (hypotonic), or uncoordinated, pain and dysfunction can result. Just like any other muscle group, the pelvic floor can become overworked, injured, or imbalanced.

What Causes Pelvic Floor Pain?

There’s no single cause, and the symptoms vary from person to person. Some common contributors include:

• Childbirth and postpartum recovery

• Surgical trauma (e.g., from hysterectomy, prostate surgery, or C-section)

• Chronic constipation or straining

• Sexual trauma or emotional stress

• Athletic overuse or injury (common in dancers, runners, and lifters)

• Hormonal changes (menopause, pregnancy, etc.)

• Infections or inflammation (like UTIs or endometriosis)

Pain can manifest in a number of ways: aching in the pelvis, burning or stabbing sensations, pain with sitting, pain during or after sex, urinary urgency or retention, or bowel dysfunction.

The Emotional Side of Pelvic Pain

Because pelvic pain often affects intimate areas of the body, many people suffer in silence. It can take years for individuals to get an accurate diagnosis, and during that time, frustration, anxiety, and isolation can grow. We believe in validating each patient’s experience and working together toward healing—both physically and emotionally.

How Pelvic FloorTherapy Can Help

Pelvic floor therapy focuses on the assessment and treatment of pelvic floor muscles and related structures. Here’s how we help:

• Detailed evaluation: We start with a comprehensive health history and physical exam.

• Manual therapy: Gentle, targeted techniques to release muscle tension and restore balance in the pelvic floor and surrounding tissues.

• Therapeutic exercises: Strengthening or lengthening muscles as needed, including core and hip stabilization.

• Modalities: We may incorporate tools like dry needling, cupping, or Dolphin Neurostim™ to reduce pain, release trigger points, and stimulate healing at a neuromuscular level.

• Education: We empower you with knowledge about anatomy, posture, toileting habits, and pain science.

• Most importantly, our treatments are personalized. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and we meet you where you are.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re dealing with pelvic pain, please know: you are not alone, and this is not something you just have to live with. Healing is possible. During Pelvic Floor Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to speak up about pelvic health and to seek help early. We’re here to help every step of the way.