If you’ve been feeling pain in your pelvic region, don’t assume that it’s not a valid condition. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a condition where the individual experiences pelvic pain that lasts six months or longer. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome can be a symptom of another condition or can be a problem on its own. Sometimes pelvic pain can develop for no apparent reason, without any definitive source or cause. However, there has been a significant increase in research in the past decade to study the cause and optimal treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
There is “cure” for chronic pelvic pain syndrome, but there are many forms of treatments that can alleviate the pain; as well as relieve the psychological and emotional stressors caused by the chronic pain.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome has also been called chronic prostatitis. Chronic prostatitis is a more specific term for males, while chronic pelvic pain syndrome can apply to both males and females. Causes and symptoms of pelvic pain can vary between men and women. Men can experience pelvic pain as a symptom of other conditions including urinary, organ-specific (prostate), infection-related, neurologic, bowel, and muscle issues. Women can experience chronic pelvic pain from the same health conditions as men, including uterus and ovarian issues.
Those with chronic pelvic pain syndrome have likely developed the pain due to numerous interconnected causes. If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, it’s best to visit your primary care physician. They can provide you with an understanding your previous health conditions and how it might influence other conditions to cause the pain.
There a few of massage modalities that can assist with chronic pelvic pain syndrome:
- Trigger point therapy -Myofascial trigger points are one possible cause of pelvic pain. Trigger point therapy for muscles in the pelvic region can help reduce the pain. This includes muscles in your lower abdomen and thigh areas.
- Muscle energy techniques- Various studies have shown that muscle energy techniques increase muscle extensibility and range of motion.
- Connective tissue manipulation– As said in the name, this technique focuses on connective tissue. It involves direct manual strokes, or forms of vigorous skin rolling. The connective tissue is treated until there is: improvement in mobility, decrease in sensitivity, and increase in warmth.
The goal of massage therapy for chronic pelvis pain syndrome is to improve circulation; improve tissue integrity; decrease ischemia; reduce chemicals in restricted connective tissue; decrease or elimination of visceral pain or dysfunction; and decrease adverse neural tension on peripheral nerve branches. In addition to the physical benefits that massage therapy can provide with pelvic pain, massage therapy can also help with the emotional and psychological stress your body can feel from the chronic pain. If you are experiencing chronic pelvic pain, give me a call to set up an appointment.
