Do you sometimes sneeze and feel a shooting type of pain in your lower abdomen? Are you looking for the causes of this kind of pain? Pelvic pain when sneezing is a fairly common condition, with about 1 in 7 women experiencing chronic pelvic pain. Pain in your pelvis can occur in the hips, tailbone, buttocks, pubic bone and even the lower back.
Physical therapy can be beneficial in a number of ways for those experiencing pelvic pain when they sneeze. Read more to learn about common triggers and treatments for this condition.
3 reasons sneezing can trigger pelvic pain
- Muscle strain or weakness — Sneezing causes your muscles to quickly contract; if your pelvic muscles are weak, you’re at a higher risk of getting muscle injury or strain.
- Pelvic joint issues — Pelvic joint problems can be especially painful when sneezing. If you have a preexisting joint condition, the violent spasms of a sneeze can put significant pressure on your joints.
- Pregnancy — According to one study, lower back pain and pelvic pain were prevalent in approximately 72% of pregnant women. For women who are pregnant or have gone through pregnancy in the past, pelvic pain can be all too real. Pregnancy affects the muscles and joints around this area and can cause symptoms like discomfort or pain, which can be exacerbated by sneezing.
3 physical therapy techniques that can help treat pelvic pain
- Pelvic floor therapy — This type of therapy works to help with pelvic floor dysfunction. A physical therapist can evaluate the state of your pelvis before your treatment and determine how best to strengthen the lower abdomen.
- Strengthening the affected muscles — A physical therapist can create a personalized treatment and care plan to strengthen the muscles in your pelvis and prevent future pain.
- Posture correction — For some, correcting posture can have a significant effect on pelvic pain. Physical therapists are specially trained in fixing poor posture and will help you work to alleviate pain when sneezing.
What could happen if your pelvic pain goes untreated?
If you’re experiencing symptoms like nausea, diarrhea and even fever, these symptoms could indicate more severe conditions or that you have reached your pain threshold. Many conditions involving pelvic pain can be treated with physical therapy. Ignoring the conditions causing you pain is not likely to resolve your issues or prevent them from coming back in the future. Below are some of the outcomes that could occur if you leave your pain untreated by a medical professional:
- Continued pain — It’s not likely your pain will magically disappear or get better. Treatment is essential for symptom management and for the prevention of future symptoms or flare-ups that can interfere with daily activities.
- Bladder weakness — A symptom that can frequently accompany pelvic pain in women is bladder weakness. However, this really depends on what your condition is. Failing to seek out treatment can lead to little to no improvement of bladder function. You could have more frequent bladder accidents and experience little control of your urination if your condition is left untreated.
- Sudden increase in pain — Not only could you experience continued pain, but you could even experience a sudden increase in pain. By neglecting your pelvic health, you could be subjecting yourself to new or worsening conditions that may cause you a serious deal of discomfort.
- Infection — One more consequence of leaving your pelvic pain untreated is that it could potentially lead to an infection. If the cause of your pelvic pain is due to something like a bladder or urinary tract infection, your infection is not likely to resolve all on its own. Or at least, not permanently. Physical therapists are trained in pelvic floor dysfunction, so they know just what to do for patients who suffer from frequent urinary tract infections and the like.
Don’t let your pelvic pain interfere with your day-to-day activities. If you’re someone who experiences pain in your pelvis when you sneeze, let a physical therapist show you how you could benefit from their professional services. Researching treatments online can be helpful, but when that doesn’t work for you it’s important you seek expert care. Physical therapists are specially trained to treat conditions like pelvic pain.
Border Therapy Services offers women’s health physical therapy
Are you looking for pelvic pain physical therapy? You’ll find it at our Border Therapy Services clinics. Our team offers free screenings designed to pinpoint the issue you’re dealing with. We can also build you a personalized treatment plan for many different women’s health issues
Take the next step to start getting our help with your pain. Contact our team today for more information about our women’s health services or to schedule an initial appointment.