Pelvic pain is a term used to describe any pain or pains in or around the pelvis. Pain may have been present a few weeks, months or several years. This pain can be very distressing and make daily activities difficult.
Sarah will take the time to understand your pain presentation, your pain triggers, things that ease your pain and your limitations and then develop a targeted management plan to help you to re-engage with everything you want to do in life.
Ideally, intimacy is enjoyed, pleasant, desirable and without pain. Any reason for pain with sexual activities removes pleasure and enjoyment. Pain can impact your body’s natural desire and arousal responses, which help the body prepare for sexual activity. Natural desire and arousal send “yes” messages throughout your mind and body to relax appropriate muscles, increase circulation to the parts that benefit from engorgement and provide natural lubrication. When there are “no’’ messages travelling around your mind and body, it is challenging for these body reactions to occur, and this can set you up for unpleasant sexual experiences.
Sarah can help you understand the factors contributing to your pain and help you change distressing ”no” messages to happy “yes” messages.
It is not uncommon for people with vaginas to have difficulties with tampon insertion, penetrative intercourse and/or undergoing a vaginal examination or pap smear. There can often feel like a block or a wall limiting insertion. This can occur when the pelvic floor muscles are tight and limit insertion. There may be associated genital pain, or there may not be any pain but just an uneasiness with the concept of vaginal penetration or vulval/vaginal contact. This can be very distressing for the people and couples involved. There can be many possible and associated reasons for these issues.
It is not uncommon to be a little anxious about seeing a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist but Sarah will help you feel relaxed and comfortable. You may choose to attend your appointment on your own or bring your partner with you. Sarah will take the time to understand your experiences and concerns and work with you to develop a plan to achieve your goals.
Endometriosis is a diagnosis given to women (AFAB) when there is uterine tissue growing outside the uterus. This growth is driven by oestrogen and involves inflammation. It commonly occurs in the uterine wall, around the ovaries, around the ligaments that support the uterus and ovaries and around the bowel. Thirteen percent of women of reproductive age will be diagnosed with Endometriosis.
Endometriosis can contribute to pelvic pain and issues with bladder and bowel function. People diagnosed with endometriosis may have varying presentations. Sarah will take time to understand your specific concerns. Sarah can help improve your bladder and bowel function and address issues contributing to cyclical, sexual and other pelvic pain associated with Endometriosis.
Endometriosis cannot be cured but it can be well managed so that the impact on your life is minimised.
Genital pain can include vulvodynia, penile pain or testicular pain. This pain can develop from a skin irritation, local infection, pelvic floor muscle tension, hormonal changes, psychological stressors or can present with no known cause. Genital pain can be present at any time of the day or night and may be aggravated by sexual activity, exercise or other factors.
Sarah will work with you to help you understand your pain presentation and contributing factors. With a good understanding of your presentation, contributing factors and the involvement of your pelvic floor muscles, Sarah can form a care plan centred around you and your goals.
This pain is termed ”musculoskeletal pain” as it relates to the muscles and joints around your pelvis.
Pelvic girdle pain is particularly common during pregnancy and can be well managed with the right approach. Sarah is very experienced with working with women during pregnancy with pelvic floor and pelvic joint issues to help keep women active and comfortable throughout and after pregnancy.
Hip joints are part of the pelvis and some of the hip rotating muscles are deep inside the pelvis, adjacent to the pelvic floor muscles. Assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor muscles and pelvis can be an important part of managing hip pain. Sarah will provide holistic approach to establish all contributing factors to hip and pelvic joint pain. In consideration of your goals, Sarah will work with you to develop an individualised management plan.