Cracking the Code on Pelvic and Abdominal Discomfort

You know that nagging feeling of discomfort in your pelvic and abdominal regions? Well, you're not alone. Around 20% of folks in the U.S. grapple with this issue at some point. At MOVE Athletics, we've seen a fair share of these cases ourselves.

Demystifying Pelvic and Abdominal Pain

Let's dive into the why's and how's of pelvic pain, and more importantly, how pelvic floor physical therapy can work its magic to ease those symptoms. It's all connected to the world of pelvic health.

Unveiling the Source of Pain and Symptoms

Don't let the name fool you – both men and women can experience abdominal and pelvic pain for various reasons. It's a frustrating maze to navigate, especially since most medical providers in the U.S. aren't exactly experts on the pelvic floor. The discomfort you feel in your pelvis, abdomen, hips, or lower back might just be linked to an overly tense pelvic floor muscle.

When pelvic muscles tighten too much, things can get unpleasant. Pain in your pelvic region can range from an achy cramp to a sharp stab, or even that irritating sting or burn. These sensations often come with bonus features like needing to pee every few minutes, accidental leaks (oops), discomfort during intimacy, and feeling tender or under pressure around your abdominal and pelvic muscles. Walking, sitting, and even lying down can become an ordeal.

Cracking the Code: Diagnosing the Pain

Now, figuring out exactly what's causing your pelvic and abdominal pain and finding the best solution can be a bit of a puzzle. While you could go down the internet rabbit hole, if your discomfort persists for more than a few days, it's time to seek out a trained pelvic floor physical therapist.

During your first chat with us, we'll dive into your symptoms, history, and give you a thorough checkup. We'll check for muscle tightness, weakness, nerve health, joint health, and whatever else might be contributing to the issue.

Based on this info, we'll tailor a game plan for pelvic floor physical therapy that's all about you.

Getting the Lowdown on Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy zooms in on joint, muscle, nerve, and connective tissue issues in your pelvic region. Sure, there might be a few misconceptions that could deter you from seeking help, but let's clear that up – at MOVE Athletics, we're all about creating a comfortable and understanding space. Your comfort is our priority.

How We Tackle Pelvic Pain

Whether pain is causing your tense pelvic floor or your tense pelvic floor is causing the pain (chicken or the egg situation, we know), we've got you covered. Patients dealing with abdominal and pelvic pain often find relief through pelvic floor PT. But here's the twist – we're not just looking at the "pelvic pain" part. We're all about taking in the bigger picture.

Our main mission with every patient is to educate and empower. Understanding your condition is key to your recovery journey.

At MOVE Athletics, open communication and understanding are our bread and butter. We're here to make sure you're in the loop and comfortable with every step we take together.

When it comes to treating pelvic pain, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve.

• Building Strength in the Abdominal and Pelvic Muscles

Strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support your organs in the abdominopelvic region is a game-changer. This crew includes your liver, pancreas, kidneys, stomach, spleen, gallbladder, and the majority of your intestines. It's crucial to keep these support systems in tip-top shape. Muscle strengthening can address issues like urinary and bowel incontinence – when the muscles supporting your organs are either too tight or too weak, things can go haywire.

• Unwinding and Loosening Tight Muscles

While a bit of muscle tension is par for the course, excessive tension in your pelvic floor can spell trouble. It can lead to constipation, incontinence, and all-around restrictions in nerve function and blood flow. Incorporating exercises to relax and lengthen these muscles can help keep pelvic pain at bay and ensure things function smoothly.

• Coordinating the A-Team Muscles

Training the coordination of your pelvic floor muscles and your core dream team is a must. Coordinating these muscle groups is no easy feat, especially when dealing with pelvic pain. Ensuring that all these muscles work in harmony is key for overall function. This includes not just the pelvic floor, but also the abdominal and back muscles, and even your diaphragm.

Our pelvic floor physical therapists will tailor coordination training to your specific needs and goals. We often blend it with functional activities like squats, deadlifts, and everyday movements. This ensures that your muscles know exactly when to step up and when to chill, no matter what life throws at you.

Pelvic Pain's Got Nothing on Us

Even though tackling pelvic and abdominal pain can feel like an uphill battle, we've got your back at MOVE Athletics.

We get it – trying to pinpoint the source of your pain can be a wild goose chase. But don't worry, we're here to join you on your journey to understanding and recovery.

If you've been wrestling with pelvic or abdominal pain that just won't budge, schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with us today. Let's crack this code and get you back on the path to feeling your best.