Condition
Helping you feel understood and make sense of persistent pelvic pain
Living with persistent pelvic pain can be frustrating, confusing and isolating.
Many women arrive at my clinic having already seen multiple healthcare professionals, undergone investigations and tried various treatments without finding lasting relief or a clear explanation for their symptoms.
One of the things I hear most often is:
“I’ve been told everything looks normal.”
Or:
“I feel like I’m being fobbed off.”
You may have started to question yourself, wonder if you are overreacting, or worry that because no one has found a clear answer, there is nothing that can be done.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Your symptoms are real.
And you are not a bother.
What is persistent pelvic pain?
Persistent pelvic pain is pain that lasts for several months or longer and is felt within the pelvis, lower abdomen, hips, buttocks or pelvic floor region.
Symptoms can vary considerably from person to person and may include:
- Pelvic aching, heaviness or pressure
- Pain with sitting
- Tailbone pain
- Pain during or after intercourse
- Pelvic floor tension or discomfort
- Lower abdominal pain
- Hip, groin or buttock pain
- Bladder or bowel-related symptoms
- Pain that seems to move or change location
For some women, symptoms develop gradually. For others, they begin after pregnancy, birth, surgery, injury, illness or a significant life event.
Why can pelvic pain become persistent?
Pelvic pain is rarely caused by a single factor.
More often, symptoms develop in layers over time. Previous injuries, surgery, scars, stress, trauma, movement habits, life experiences and general health can all contribute to the overall picture. These layers are often closely connected, influencing and reinforcing one another.
The pelvis itself is influenced by many interconnected systems, including:
- Muscles and joints
- The pelvic floor
- Internal organs and connective tissues
- Scar tissue
- The nervous system
- Emotional and psychological wellbeing
Part of my role is to help untangle those layers, understand which factors may be most relevant for you, and build a treatment approach that reflects your individual story rather than focusing on symptoms alone.
Sometimes symptoms persist because the body has become stuck in patterns of protection and tension long after the original trigger has passed.
Looking beyond the pelvic floor
The pelvic floor is often an important part of the picture, but it is rarely the whole story.
My approach considers how the different systems of the body interact and influence one another.
For some women, previous surgery or scar tissue may be contributing to symptoms. For others, restrictions within the abdominal and pelvic tissues may be important. Some may find that stress, anxiety or difficult life experiences are influencing how their body is responding and coping.
Understanding these contributing factors can often help symptoms make much more sense.
How I can help
Assessment begins by listening to your story.
One of the things I hear most often is:
“Sorry, my story is complicated.”
The truth is, I don’t mind complicated.
Symptoms that seem confusing or unrelated often make much more sense when viewed in the context of the whole person and their life experiences. Taking the time to understand that bigger picture is an important part of how I work.
I don’t believe anyone has all the answers when it comes to persistent pain.
What I can offer is time, careful listening, clinical expertise and a willingness to look beyond obvious explanations.
Together, we can explore the different factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and identify the areas most likely to support recovery.
Depending on your symptoms, treatment may include:
- Physiotherapy assessment and rehabilitation
- Pelvic floor assessment where appropriate
- Scar therapy
- Visceral Manipulation
- Hands-on treatment
- Movement and exercise guidance
- Nervous-system-informed approaches
- Education and self-management strategies
There is hope
Persistent pelvic pain can leave you feeling disconnected from your body and uncertain about what the future holds.
My goal is not to promise quick fixes or claim to have all the answers. It is to help you feel heard, better understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and identify meaningful steps towards improving your comfort, confidence and quality of life.
Even when symptoms have been present for months or years, change is often possible.
