*IN THE NEWS: PT for Pelvic Pain

Today’s Miami Herald had an article on Physical Therapy for Pelvic Pain.  In it they interviewed PT’s working with pelvic pain related to spasms of the muscle of the pelvic floor.  Check out the article here. 



*Clemens PT Patient Featured in Pelvic Pain Blog

One of our patients is featured in a blog article.  In it, several women discussed the terrible nature of pelvic pain and the benefit from physical therapy for the tight muscles.  Thanks to D. Brown for having the courage to talk about this problem and give us permission to link to her story. 



* What is IC?

IC stands for Interstitial Cystitis.  It is a condition in which the lining of the bladder becomes irritated and causes significant pain.  Besides pain, sufferers typically also have a lot of frequency of urination due to the bladder irritation. There currently is no known cause.  Diagnosis involves a history of the above symptoms combined with ruling out other possible causes (such as a bladder infection) and looking inside the bladder to see the condition of the bladder lining (cystoscopy).  There is no known cure.  Treatment involves a combination of medication, dietary changes, and physical therapy including electrical stimulation, biofeedback, and manual therapy directed at treating the pelvic floor. 

 

*Pregnancy-pelvic joint separation painful condition during pregnancy

Pelvic joint separation or pubic symphysis separation can occur during pregnancy due to the circulating hormones that relax the joints of the pelvis. This joint is at the front of the body at the pubic area. Separation may be more likely in future pregnancies. Early intervention during pregnancy can help prevent the potentially severe debilitating pain and loss of function that can occur with a separation.

It is important to avoid certain activities such as lunging that stress this joint. A Physical Therapist specializing in women’s health can help teach a woman positions to avoid and ways to strengthen the muscles that support the pelvis. Posture and safer ways to lift and get in and out of bed can also help prevent more problems.