Pelvic Pain
Olivia Rutledge, DPT
Owner of Pelvic Solutions and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
A Message From the pelvic floor therapists of Pelvic Solutions
Many things can happen in a woman’s life that can cause pelvic floor dysfunction. Childbirth, for example, can overstretch muscles and nerves, damage connective tissue, leads to prolapse, change pelvic positioning, and/or reduce the effectiveness of muscular contractions due to scar tissue. Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life can also have an impact on the pelvic floor’s functionality. Various traumas, such as a fall, an auto accident, surgery side effects, or an unpleasant sexual experience, can cause pelvic floor dysfunction and lead to pain and/or incontinence. Some women and girls are born with extremely tight muscles, which can cause pain and incontinence. Endometriosis, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), and pudendal neuralgia are all conditions that are commonly associated with pelvic pain, painful sex, and incontinence.
Nearly 25% of women are thought to have pelvic floor disorder. Because the likelihood of developing a pelvic floor disorder increases with age, 50% of women may have one by the age of 80. Incontinence is one of the leading causes of nursing home admission. While it is common, it is not normal and should not be accepted as a normal part of the aging process. It is worthwhile to make the effort to address these issues when they first appear.
Pelvic Solutions can assist you in determining the root cause of your problem(s) and then designing a customized program to address your specific dysfunction (s). Treatment options include:
- Myofascial release therapy
- Techniques for relaxation
- Pelvic floor muscle coordination with the rest of the body
- Dry Needling
- Pelvic Floor Strengthening
Don’t put up with it any longer. Pelvic Solutions can assist you.
- Tired of urine leakage (incontinence) while running, jumping, or even going about your daily business?
- Are you concerned about postpartum back, hip, or pelvic pain that won't go away?
- Feeling self-conscious, frustrated, or discouraged since the birth of your child, believing you'll never be able to regain control of your body?
- Do you find sex painful or uncomfortable?
- Having difficulty keeping up with your children and feeling as if you're missing out on life?
- Lacking confidence because you know your core isn't working properly, you have a Diastasis Recti, or you still look pregnant even though you aren't?
- Frustrated that other approaches haven't worked (even if they were from another PT) or unsure what to try?
- Are you looking for a long-term, natural solution that will permanently eliminate these issues (without medications or surgery)?
Have You Ever Been Told…?
- "Do nothing but rest for 6 weeks, then resume your normal activity," your doctor advises. Weeks, months, and even years pass, and you're still struggling.
- "Just do some YouTube workout videos and you'll be back in shape in no time," but those workouts cause pain and leakage, and you feel terrible and discouraged afterward.
- It's "normal" to experience pain or abdominal separation after giving birth, and "everyone leaks" or struggles with bladder control as they get older.
- Everything will be fine if you take some pain relievers.
- Only medicine, surgery, or "just dealing with it" are options.
The Reality Is…
- Resting it makes no difference. You may experience some temporary relief, but when you return to work, you will still be suffering from pelvic pain, leakage, and other postpartum symptoms (I'm sure you've already experienced this!).
- While it is very common, having lasting pain or urine leakage after pregnancy is NOT NORMAL... or even as you get older.
- Pain relievers are addictive, dangerous, and can cause a variety of other health issues.
- Medicine, surgery, and injections are not the only options available. They are the only options available to you from your doctor.
Pelvic Solutions Assists People Who Leak, Have Sex Pain, Unresolved Low Back Pain, or have a Mummy Tummy in Returning to Their Favorite Activities Without the Use of Pills, Pads, or Surgery.
You must select the best healthcare provider for your needs. If you don’t, you risk having surgery (which could have been avoided), becoming dependent on medications or painkillers… or living the rest of your life with steadily worsening symptoms.
Getting the “least-invasive,” most natural treatment is VITAL to stopping your leakage, abdominal separation issues, pelvic floor problems, or postpartum hip/back/pelvic pain and preventing it from returning in the future.
Working with a provider who understands how the body works as a whole is critical to your recovery. Our bodies undergo incredible transformations throughout our lives. To fully recover, we must address changes in the neck/back/diaphragm/core/pelvic floor/pelvis, posture, strength, and how we use our bodies. It’s a lot more than just Kegels!
To ensure a complete recovery, we must not only treat the symptoms. You must work with an expert who is willing to investigate the ROOT CAUSE of your symptoms and dysfunction. That is when you will receive a LONG-TERM solution to your problems.
Pelvic Solutions Has Developed a Three-Step Process to Eliminate Your Postpartum Symptoms and Ensure You Never Have to Deal With Them Again.
STEP 1 - WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORY
Our healthcare system is infuriating. You wait weeks, if not months, for an appointment, only to speak with the doctors for 10 minutes before they have to rush to the next patient, leaving you wondering, “What just happened?”
This is how most physical therapy clinics operate. They are not attentive, they are fast-paced, and your therapist does not have time to learn about your goals or to work with you one-on-one. That is why we operate in such disparate ways!
That is why our first step is to hear your story.
We know that no two people are alike after successfully working with many women experiencing postpartum issues. Each person has a unique body, a unique history, and a unique set of pain and symptoms.
That is why, as a first step, we will hold an open conversation and allow you to tell your story. That way, we can gain a thorough understanding of not only what’s going on with your body, but also how it’s affecting your life.
STEP 2 - DETERMINE WHY YOUR SYMPTOMS STARTED
Many people have a medical term or diagnosis for what’s wrong with their bodies. Maybe it was given to them by their doctor, maybe tests revealed the diagnosis, or maybe you found it online. Prolapse, Diastasis Recti, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Incontinence, Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain, or Hip/Back/Pelvic Pain may have been assigned to you.
You could have been told that your only options were to rest, take medication, or wait.
These things may provide temporary relief, but they do not address the root cause of the problem.
Each person’s cause of pain or symptoms is unique. Nobody has the same problem caused by the same thing as someone else.
Pelvic Solutions’ goal is to find the root cause of your problem so that your pain not only goes away but stays away!
We understand that you may still be skeptical or unsure about Integrative Physical Therapy. That is why we developed the free Discovery Visit. (Yes! That means the first session is completely on us!)
Our Discovery Visits are designed for people who are skeptical, unsure or have been disappointed in the past. During the Discovery Visit, you’ll learn what’s wrong, how long it will take to fix it, and gain confidence that your problem can be solved naturally!
Step #3 - GET RID OF THE PROBLEM & KEEP IT FROM COMING BACK
This is when major changes take place. We create a customized plan that allows you to…
…resume exercise (yes, even running and jumping!) without fear of resuming pain, stiffness, or bladder control issues.
…be able to play with your children, lift and carry them without difficulty.
…return to intimate relationships with your spouse without fear of pain.
…return to your favorite active lifestyle (yoga, running, tennis, whatever!).
…regain your strength, confidence, and even sexiness as your body heals from the Diastasis Recti/Abdominal Separation and regains full core strength.
Our ideal clients are those who are motivated and eager to reclaim their active lifestyle. (Even if they are currently stuck!)
Want to learn more about our availability and pricing before committing to visit?
What Other People Just Like You Are Saying About Pelvic Solutions In Christiansburg VA
2 5-star reviews
Alex B.
“I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Olivia! I had my first appointment today and left feeling truly connected to my body. She took the time to explain the “how and why” and what I need to focus on to help my current issues. I can’t wait for my next appointment!”
