|
Chronic pelvic and abdominal pain program
Dyspareunia means painful intercourse. You may also be having trouble
with wearing snug clothing, sitting, walking, using tampons or even wearing
underwear. Several conditions can contribute to dyspareunia:
- Childbirth: Pain can come from episiotomy scars,
vaginal tears, injured vaginal tissue from forceps or vacuum delivery,
coccyx fractures, or damaged pelvic nerves from the pressure of the baby’s
passage through the birth canal. Low estrogen levels associated with
breast-feeding can also contribute.
- Menopause: Low levels of estrogen can cause the vaginal
tissue to lose lubrication, become thinner and less elastic.
- Vulvar Vestibulitis (VV) or Vulvodynia: Pain &
sensitivity caused by any pressure around the vaginal
opening. The pain is often described as burning or stinging or razor
blades. Intercourse is usually impossible. Sitting, walking or
wearing jeans or underwear can be irritating. Pain often spreads to
the surrounding areas: buttocks, abdomen, thighs and clitoris.
- Vaginismus: An involuntary tightening of the
vagina in a subconscious effort to prevent penetration during intercourse or
even gynecological exams. In some cases the body “remembers” past
childbirth trauma, painful gynecological procedures, physical, sexual or
verbal abuse, and the vagina spasms to prevent any further trauma.
- Chronic Prostatitis: In men, the pelvic floor
muscles spasms can cause pain with sitting on a bike or chair, pain with
bowel movements, or even ejaculation.
How physical therapy helps
Our physical therapists are specially trained in women’s health and are
skilled in the treatment of chronic pelvic and abdominal pain. Counseling
or sex therapy in addition to physical therapy can be very helpful.
Pelvic floor biofeedback
Safe and gentle, this is a proven, effective treatment for vaginal pain and
pelvic tension syndromes. A small sensor is inserted into the vagina,
which allows you to “read” your pelvic muscle function on a computer monitor.
For those unable to insert the sensor, small electrodes can be placed on the
outer vaginal/rectal area. The exercises prescribed during biofeedback
relax muscle spasms, increase circulation to the damaged tissue and strengthen
the pelvic floor muscles.
Other treatments
- Soft tissue techniques: The physical therapist uses
gentle hands-on techniques to release trigger points (muscle “knots” that
cause referred pain), mobilize pelvic, hip & spinal joints, and balance
muscles. Ultrasound or electrical stimulation may be used to heal
episiotomy scars or relax muscle spasms.
- Dilators: Once the vaginal or pelvic floor muscles can
tolerate touch, you may be shown how to release muscles internally.
This can be done with your finger (or a partner’s) placed in the vaginal
opening. After 8-12 weekly sessions, most women can resume intercourse
and report much less pain.
Links
|
|
