If you experience pelvic pain it is likely you have turned to Google for answers. If so, you have certainly come across the term Pudendal Neuralgia. Internet research can pollute reality and make you believe ligaments and muscles in the pelvis are the enemy that should be cut or numbed. So what exactly is pudendal neuralgia?
Pudendal neuralgia is the irritation of the pudendal nerve, the nerve in charge of muscles and feeling in the pelvis. Sometimes this nerve can get irritated from cycling, childbirth, prolonged sitting, or trauma. Symptoms can interfere with sex, exercise, and work.
It is important to note that there can be many sources of pelvic pain that may be assumed to be pudendal neuralgia. This means that just because you experience some of these symptoms it does not mean your pudendal nerve or any other structures are injured. It does NOT mean you are broken.
Physical therapy can help!
A physical therapy evaluation includes a movement assessment that will identify poor movement patterns that contribute to your symptoms. Often, evaluation also includes a gentle internal assessment of your pelvic muscles. This will give us information about your muscles’ ability to both contract and relax.
Treatment includes explanation of pain mechanisms as it relates to your case, correction of body mechanics, position or activity modification, and (if applicable) internal manual therapy to facilitate healthy muscular contraction and relaxation.
You don’t have to sacrifice what you love because of your pain.
Get back to what you love. Schedule an appointment today with Sandy or Sarah.
By Anne Shea, SPT