Chronic Pelvic Pain

understanding your story

Patient Story

KATRINA, 30, professional and part time student

“My journey with chronic pain began 8 years ago when I was told I had a dermoid cyst and needed laparoscopic surgery to remove it. Unfortunately, the surgery did not resolve the pain. Then came a battle with healthcare professionals, from doctors to physios, chiropractors, RMTs and every healer in between. No one seemed to understand or believe that I was still in significant pain. Finally endometriosis was found and removed with a second surgery and I found that I was less bloated, had more energy, and was able to function at a higher level. The pain was not gone however; instead I learned to live it.

Throughout all of this, I also had vulvodynia – pain with sex. Although it made sense to me that I would have vulvodynia due to the proximity of the pelvic region, it was difficult to accept.

I am now functioning higher than I have in eight years.

When I first came to see Anniken, I was hopeless. I had built up mistrust towards helping professionals and felt unsure about telling my story yet again. Anniken was warm, transparent, validating, and kind. I felt immediately comfortable with her, and knew that she was the right fit. Anniken was able to physically release my internal pelvic floor muscles, and this significantly helped to shift the intensity of my pain. Anniken and I have continued to work together since, and although the vulvodynia has not completely resolved, it is significantly better. Anniken is constantly trying new techniques with me, from releasing other muscles in my body that are connected to my pelvic floor, to helping me to connect emotionally with my pain.

I am now functioning higher than I have in eight years. I am stronger both physically and mentally, and most importantly I am supported by a health care professional whom I can trust and rely on.”

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PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP YOU

  • Understand how your pain ended up where it is

  • get proactive and informed in how to best manage your pain

  • Reduce your pain

  • Improve confidence

  • Get strong and active without fear of flare ups

  • WHAT IS CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN?

    The pelvis is a busy place with many organs doing many jobs. There is a lot of associated work between these organs and the nervous system is complex, so sometimes one issue can migrate to ultimately effect several pelvic areas.

    An example would be pain with perhaps some bladder issues, perhaps some bowel issues, perhaps some sexual issues. This can present a complex picture of symptoms that if assessed in isolation are hard to diagnose or treat.

    Often diagnosis aren’t absolute, like with endometriosis or interstitial cystitis, diagnosis or treatment doesn’t guarantee symptom resolution. Lack of diagnosis or mis-diagnosis is also common. That’s not to say patients can’t improve, but often folk come to us having exhausted avenues in many health professions and are subsequently frustrated or even hopeless.

    When pain is chronic, we know that it is in part due to changes in your nervous system’s response to pain, as a result of dealing with pain for so long. Adaptations in the nervous system’s pain response are driven by experiences, memories, thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, even smells. Not just the physical problem or injury. Eventually the experience of pain can be 10+ steps removed from the original painful stimulus. That means, we have to treat the nervous system’s response to pain as a priority, as well as any injury you have. If we don’t, you wont get better, and that is the case with so many chronic pain patients.

  • UNDERSTANDING YOUR PELVIC PAIN

    In order to pick all this apart, its important to understand and address every aspect that’s contributed to your story and nervous system adaptation. We need to ensure we are the right step on the right path for you, so we don’t end up another failed avenue. Our assessment of you may therefore consider;

    • General health history
    • History of pain and previous treatments
    • Top to toe alignment and body mechanics
    • Nervous system sensitivity
    • Thoughts and feelings
    • Bladder & bowel function
    • Sexual function
    • Sleep health
    • Digestion
    • Pelvic floor exam
    • Posture
    • Stress / depression / anxiety
    • Coping strategies
    • Positive / negative experiences with other health professionals
    • History of trauma

    If we think it appropriate, we may suggest referring you to another health professional to work alongside us in your care.

  • TREATING YOUR PELVIC PAIN

    In terms of physiotherapy, we start with pain management. Taking back control of a nervous system that has long since been hijacked by the pain. This will give you a window for recovery. If you can understand and control your nervous system’s response to pain, you’re not controlled by it anymore. There are many ways to do this and our approach will be a joint effort with you, and unique to you. We also of course want to assess for poor mechanics or alignment that is contributing to the pain, and treat that through regular Physio methods of manual therapy and exercise.

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