Accurate Diagnosis is Key in Treating Pelvic Pain

Physical therapists in all realms of treating the musculoskeletal system use a process of differential diagnosis to determine what is causing the client’s symptoms. This means simply that the problem must be correctly diagnosed, to the exclusion of other possible diagnoses, in order to be treated effectively.  This diagnostic process allows the clinician to define the problem that is being treated, and to determine the needs of the client based on his or her individual presentation. Rehabilitation professionals must also consider symptoms and clinical examination findings that point to a need for other health care providers’ involvement. In pelvic rehabilitation, this can become a challenging process. Possible musculoskeletal causes of pelvic pain include abdominal wall or pelvic floor muscle trigger points, hip joint pain, coccyx pain, and irritation of  the pudendal nerve. In addition, examples of other medical conditions that can cause pelvic pain are bladder, bowel, or gynecologic malignancies, endometriosis, pelvic congestion, interstitial cystitis, urethral syndrome, constipation, inflammatory or irritable bowel syndrome. (See this article in Canadian Family Physician for more.) It is common to find multiple sources of pain in our population of clients with chronic pelvic pain.

​Within a multidisciplinary approach, which is most often the recommended approach to treating chronic pelvic pain, physical therapy will ideally work with other practitioners to develop the best course of care for the patient.