This is when muscles, ligaments, and joints of pelvis create pain , usually in absence of any organ disease. Pelvic floor is the main source of pain and can often refer to pain in the tailbone, perineum, vagina, clitoris, scrotum, testicles and penis. This pain may happen at rest and often worsens with sitting, prolonged standing and exercise. 

Pelvic pain can happen due to chronic stress factors like poor posture, poor sleep, high stress and sedentary lifestyle. It often happens with chronic lower back pain, chronic hip pain, chronic jaw pain and headaches. All these factors cause chronic strain to the pelvic floor and may cause inflammation and dysfunction.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside of the uterus. The pelvic floor muscles are almost always affected in women that have endometriosis because the pelvic organs are very close to the pelvic floor muscles. 

In addition, due to the inflammation and pain the pelvic floor muscles become tight in an effort to protectively guard the area. Pelvic Floor Physical therapy is very effective in improving pain in this condition and I always work with the physician to make sure appropriate medical/surgical support is available.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic, or long-lasting, condition that causes painful urinary symptoms. People with interstitial cystitis (IC) have discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or pain in the bladder, lower abdomen, and pelvic area. Research suggests that a large majority ( 80% or more) of patients suffering from this condition also have pelvic floor dysfunction. In fact, many times a chronic pelvic floor dysfunction gets misdiagnosed as a Painful bladder syndrome. Pelvic floor PT is extremely beneficial in reducing pain and improving comfort. 

Levator Ani Syndrome is a painful condition characterized by intermittent burning pain and the feeling of painful fullness and an incomplete bowel movement in the rectum and perineal region.  While the exact cause of levator ani syndrome is largely unknown, the pain is believed to be the result of spasm in the levator ani muscle (deep pelvic floor muscle), itself, and/or inflammation of the acrus tendon. First line of treatment for this condition is Pelvic floor physical therapy but other treatments may be necessary. 

 Pudendal nerve is a major nerve of pelvis and helps in functioning of pelvic floor and sphincters as well as provides sensation to the skin of perineum.  Pudendal neuralgia happens when this nerve gets irritated, impinged or inflamed and can cause pain, discomfort, or numbness in the pelvis or genitals.It can also make it hard to use the bathroom, have sex, or sit down. Exact cause of this condition depends on your specific history but it happens in people who sit on hard surfaces for long periods of time like cyclists, people with chronic back and tailbone pain as well as after traumatic childbirth. 

Coccyx pain can occur due to various reasons including trauma from a fall directly on the tailbone, poor posture when sitting or prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, an injury during childbirth, constant clenching of your butt cheeks, or increased tension in your pelvic floor muscles. One thing that people don’t often know about the pelvic floor is that it attaches itself to the tailbone. A tight pelvic floor can cause tailbone pain. Pelvic floor therapy can restore range of motion of these muscles, thus helping tailbone pain.