Pelvic pain and emotional health are interconnected. In fact, for many people it can be difficult to determine which came first. Did chronic pelvic pain cause emotional distress? Or did emotional stress or distress cause the pelvic pain? The answer is often both, depending on the individual's unique experience. Your pelvic pain may feel like it's coming from nowhere, but believe it or not, it's actually a manifestation of what's going on in your life. Your pelvis is a neurological hotspot, which means that it collects and holds memories of past, present, and future stressors and traumatic experiences. So it's no wonder that you might find yourself comfort eating over a bowl of ice cream and a Netflix fest - these activities are all physiologically linked!
The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that make up the pelvis. These muscles attach from our coccyx (tailbone) to our pubic bone and ischial tuberosities (sits bones). They are responsible for supporting our internal organs such as bladder, uterus, and rectum. In addition, they help prevent urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, have a sexual function, help with the lymphatic system - and that's just naming a few! So make sure you give them some love.
We all experience stress in different ways, and it's impossible to control which muscles will be affected. Some people carry the stress in their shoulders, some in their gut, others in their pelvic area. When these muscles get tight and locked, we can often link it to stress in our lives. The good news is that there are ways to help manage these symptoms.
Pelvic health physiotherapy is the first line of treatment for people experiencing any incontinence, pain, tension or dysfunction. A pelvic health physiotherapist can provide a comprehensive evaluation to assess the strength and tension of your pelvic floor muscles. This may involve an internal and external examination. Mississauga Pelvic Health therapists work closely with their patients to develop a treatment plan that includes an "at home" program of care. This ensures that the patient receives the best possible treatment and has all the tools they need to make a full recovery.
If you are unsure of whether Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy will help with your symptoms and condition, we highly encourage you to contact us for a 15 minute Free Phone Consultation. One of our specialised Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists will discuss your concerns with you, and help you determine whether this is the best course of treatment for you.