The Pelvis is a complex area of the body.  It is the 'anchor' for over 30 muscles of the thigh, hip, trunk and pelvic floor and has the ability to control and transmit huge forces from the lower limbs to the trunk (and vice versa), yet allow an amazing range of motion to occur at the same time.  It encases our reproductive organs and bowels and allows women to birth babies.  It is quite phenomenal.  With this complexity, it is not surprising that sometimes things go wrong.  This may be internal ​(see bladder, bowel, prolapse, pain) or external.

 

External Pelvic Pain can involve any or all of the following areas: 

• Sacro-iliac joints - back of the pelvis near the dimples

• Coccyx - known as coccydynia when painful

• Pubic symphysis - the bone low down at the front to the pelvis

• Hip joints

• Lumbar spine - the lowest part of the spinal column

It may present itself as any of the following: pain, weakness or loss of power, muscle tightness, difficulty moving position. 

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Common presentations include: 

1. Osteitis pubis

2. PSD/SPD = pubic symphysis displasia which is common in pregnancy

3. Adductor tendinopathy or enthesopathy

4. Stress fracture of the pubic or ischial rami, or sacrum

5. Coccyx pain

6. Abdominal tendinopathy or enthesopathy

7. Deep gluteal pain

8. Neural irritation/impingement of the genitofemoral or illioinguinal nerve presenting as pain or altered sensation (numbness, tingling, hypersensitivity) in the testicles, penis, labia, groin, inner thigh

9. Psoas bursitis

10. Gluteal tendinopathy/bursitis

11. Anterior hip pain/impingement

12. Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain (PR-PGP)

13. Groin pain

14. Hamstring tendinopathy or enthesopathy

15. 'Piriformis syndrome' 

 

The difference in assessment and treatment by a Pelvic Health Physio as opposed to a 'normal' Physio, Chiro or Osteo, is that we consider the internal aspect of the pelvis (pelvic floor muscles, organs and nerves) as well as the external systems and tie the two aspects together.  This is a very thorough approach to a complex area of the body and is often the 'missing link' when symptoms have not been responding to traditional treatment.  

Please contact us if you would like more information about this approach.