Increasingly, sufferers of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) are turning to physiotherapy to help relieve their pain symptoms and are finding real benefit. A significant proportion of the urinary, bowel and sexual symptoms CPPS patients experience are signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction – a problem that responds very well to physiotherapy.
Pain referred from the internal organs, such as the bladder, can result in tight short muscles with “trigger points”. Trigger points, also known as trigger sites or muscle knots, are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibres. These points may refer pain to the skin and muscles in the lower abdomen, low back, inner thighs and perineal area.
Irrespective of whether this musculo-skeletal dysfunction is a primary cause of symptoms or a consequence of pathology it is crucial to address this dysfunction to achieve a positive outcome for the patient.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is rarely the result of a single event but often results from an accumulation of injury, trauma, poor health and response to stress. Significant pre-disposing factors include childbirth, chronic straining, recurrent UTIs, hyper-mobility, chronic anxiety, habitual postural loading and central nervous system sensitisation.
When pain is present, the pelvic floor muscles become short and tight, and need to be relaxed. Patients may have been recommended to use strengthening exercises, unfortunately these can exacerbate symptoms. Experienced specialist pelvic pain physiotherapists recommend the use of Manual Therapy to relax (rather than strengthen) the pelvic floor. Most pelvic-pain patients have connective-tissue restrictions and myofascial pain in specific areas. Manual therapy is used to release “tight” areas, to improve blood flow and reduce pain. Excellent results can be obtained when these physiotherapy techniques are combined with Breath Release work.
At the New Medicine Group, we now have specialised pelvic floor physiotherapists who assess, treat and restore normal pelvic floor function. The results can often be astonishing, patients who have spent years seeking help may finally find relief and release from pain.
Book now, for an Initial Assessment and Treatment with Pelvic People.
