Many conditions in the pelvis and abdomen are present or aggravated due to musculoskeletal conditions. Other systemic or medical conditions can affect the pelvic as well, such as pregnancy, menopause, endometriosis, and different types of cancers.
Pelvic health physical therapy (sometimes called “women’s health physical therapy”) may include muscle stretching or strengthening, mindfulness and therapeutic exercises, massage and soft tissue work, myofascial techniques, movement therapy, biofeedback, dry needling, taping, and neuromuscular reeducation.
The muscles in the pelvis (often referred to as “pelvic floor muscles”) are made up of the same type of muscles that we have in our arms and legs. Because of this, the pelvic floor can become weak and underworked or angry and overworked. We can even see a combination of these symptoms. Depending on our history and other problems, there is also potential for the communication between the brain and the bladder and/or rectum to get mixed up. These conditions can occur in both men and women and at any age.
The good news is that most pelvic patients see improvement with physical therapy.