If you have a human body, you have pelvic floor muscles and these muscles can be dysfunctional, causing pelvic pain in the low back, pelvis, groin, genitalia, and hip region. Pelvic pain is often described as a "headache in the pelvis," but can often times have more acute pain areas including painful penis and testicles. Read on for more information.
You’ll want to check in with your doctor to rule out any issues that may be contributing to your pelvic pain including active infections, STDs, or other issues like hernias. Evaluation may include testing such as an STD check, urinalysis and urine culture, semen culture, ultrasounds and CT scans if appropriate to rule out issues like hernias that can be causing pain. You may get referrals to specialists including urologists or proctologists.
For those with chronic pain and sexual dysfunction, it is helpful to have the support of a psychiatrist, pain management doctor, or licensed therapist.
Pelvic floor therapy is considered a first line treatment for pelvic pain. About 50% of patients report improvement in their pain following 12 sessions.
Check out this blog post about what to expect during your first pelvic floor therapy appointment.
The treatment modalities you will receive in pelvic floor therapy depend on your body and the issues present. In general, if your muscles are tight, the techniques used will focus on releasing the tension. If your muscles are in need of strengthening, the therapist will work with you on gaining strength and coordination in your muscles.
Some of the modalities used at Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy can include (but are not limited to):
Anderson RU, Wise D, Sawyer T, Chan C. (2005). Integration of Myofascial Trigger Point Release and Paradoxical Relaxation Training Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Men. Journal of Urology;174:155–60. PMID: 15947608.
Chronic Testicular and Groin Pain: Pathway to Relief. (n.d.). Current Urology Reports., 18(10), Current urology reports. , 2017, Vol.18(10).
FitzGerald MP, Anderson RU, Potts J, et al. (2009). Randomized Multicenter Feasibility Trial of Myofascial Physical Therapy for the Treatment of Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes. Journal of Urology;182:570–80. PMID: 19535099.
Leslie SW, Siref LE. Chronic Testicular Pain (Orchialgia) [Updated 2018 Dec 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
O’Leary, M. (2011). Treating prostatitis: Any cause for optimism?. Harvard Medical School Health Publications: Prostate Knowledge. Accessed at: https://www.harvardprostateknowledge.org/treating-prostatitis-any-cause-for-optimism
Quallich, S., & Arslanian-Engoren, C. (n.d.). Chronic testicular pain in adult men: An integrative literature review. Am J Mens Health, 7(5), 402-413.
**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor.
Click here to contact us by email
phone: (818) 864-6732
fax: (818) 647-0363
phone: (818) 877-6910
phone: (310) 871-9554
© 2021 Heather Jeffcoat, all rights reserved | Site credits
Our site uses cookies to implement some of its features. We encourage you to visit our Terms of Use page for more information.