Chronic Pelvic Pain is no new kid on the block. With that said, chances are most of you have probably never heard of it. A silent epidemic, this condition affects approximately 30 million women at any given time, and that’s in North America alone. That means that 1 out of 3 women will experience CPP at some point in their lives. If that number sounds like a lot, that’s because it is.
Modern living presents us with an overwhelming amount of options when it comes to every aspect of our lives. Healthcare is no exception. With research studies and treatment guidelines being created on a daily basis, they can often leave us feeling confused about which option is best for us when we are faced with an ailment. It is of the utmost importance that we question and research our options when considering the practitioners and treatments that are most fitting for our needs and lifestyles.
Abdominal pain can be caused by many different body systems, and I find that treating the abdominal muscles helps to reduce belly and pelvic pain. I treat many women suffering with endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, constipation, pelvic congestion, and menstrual cramps—and they all have some form of abdominal pain.
I see it all the time. Women who are taken by surprise with organ prolapse after child birth, and hysterectomies and during menopause. Marathon runners and high level athletes are also caught by surprise when they start to feel pressure or something like a ball inside their pelvis. At our healing center we see women with this condition all time and we treat pelvic organ prolapse with physical therapy very successfully. I want to share our expertise and education with you so that you can empower yourself with knowledge and arm yourself with successful tips to fight back.
I recently have read some startling posts on the internet that all pregnant women should not do kegels. This is the same as saying that all pelvic floors are the same. Where is the balance in that statement? It is dangerous advice for the community out there that needs to be debunked so that women see that what is indeed needed is a balance, and this is what I have dedicated this blog post to pointing out.
Our abdominal muscles serve a far greater purpose than looking tight and awesome. This area is part of what I call the pelvic power relay station. The abdominal muscles create stability in our hips, PFMs and lumbar spine. Our midsections also provide support and stability for our internal organs, house the first two chakras and prevent energy leaks. If your abdominals are in a weakened state or are compromised by having a diastasis recti separation, you are at greater risk for female-related pelvic dysfunction.
I have been successfully using light therapy for nearly ten years. It helps my patients keep their pain at bay, and many request that I use it as part of their therapy. Of course, light therapy is only as good as the therapist using it. You have to apply this modality correctly, and use the science properly to maximize results.
The recent October issue of The Wall Street Journal recognizes the challenges of postpartum health care in the article entitled, “Bigger Postpartum Challenges Than Just Baby Weight”. How many women have been told, “That leaking you have is totally normal” or, “Those aches and pains are just part of having a baby”? While countries like France offer postpartum women 10-20 sessions…
Treating men and women who suffer from pelvic floor conditions that most people don’t even talk about gives you a glimpse into the human psyche and what it takes to heal in the face of an illness that is robbing you of your life. Researchers are now telling us that a positive attitude creates better healing and better healing outcomes. As Zig Ziglair said “ Your attitude, not our aptitude, will determine our altitude”.
So many of our patients come to us with bits and pieces of a pelvic program that have come from their personal trainers, bodyworkers, Pilates trainers, or internet research. It is important to understand that your pelvic program needs a solid foundation for you to succeed, in order to have long-term benefits of pain free sex, restored pelvic sphincteric strength, and good coordination between the abdominals and the pelvic floor. As licensed pelvic floor physical therapists, we can check your pelvic floor muscles internally for imbalances, triggerpoints, hyper/hypo mobility, adhesions, and a host of other symptoms of which you might not even be aware.
