Managing Pelvic Pain and the Role of Women’s Health Physiotherapy
- Dimyana Farag
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Pelvic pain can be difficult to live with — it affects your body, energy, and even your mood.
While living with pelvic pain isn’t easy, support and effective treatment options are available. From small changes at home to professional care, finding what works for you can make a real difference in easing discomfort and improving daily life.
Treatment for pelvic pain varies widely depending on its cause. This may include physiotherapy, gentle movement, stretches, heat therapy, medication, or a combination of these. For many people, a mix of self-management and professional support is the most effective way forward.
The Role of Women’s Health Physiotherapy
While at first glance it may not seem that physiotherapists have a big part to play in treating pelvic pain
and endometriosis, given the reliance on medication and surgery, our growing role in pain management and pelvic health makes us an essential part of care.
We can’t treat the disease itself—that happens through surgery and hormonal suppression—but we treat the consequences of people being in pain for a long period of time,”
- Dr Angela James FACP, Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and Chair of the APA Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health National Group.
Pelvic health physiotherapists are specifically trained to assess the pelvic floor. They look for increased tone, tenderness, and how well the muscles contract and relax. It’s part of a comprehensive assessment that helps identify whether the pelvic muscles are sensitised and guides treatment.
Although the physical assessment involves a very intimate area of the body, pelvic health physiotherapists receive additional training to support individuals who may have experienced trauma to ensure care that is both respectful and sensitive.
We are not treating the disease; we are treating the patient’s pain — the symptoms, dysfunction, and impact of that pain,”
- Professor Helena Frawley FACP, Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.
Research continues to support physiotherapy’s role in managing persistent pelvic pain and endometriosis. By addressing muscle activity, improving movement, and guiding self-management, physiotherapists can help women regain control over their bodies and daily lives.
Managing Pelvic Pain
Stay Active to Reduce Pain
Movement plays a key role in managing persistent pelvic pain.
It’s common to avoid activity out of fear that it might make things worse, but movement can actually help reduce pain sensitivity over time. Low-impact activities, such as swimming or walking, keep blood flowing and muscles supple.
Stretching, Physiotherapy and Yoga
Mind-body practices such as stretching and yoga can ease muscle tension and support relaxation. Pelvic pain can cause the pelvic floor, abdominal, and hip muscles to become tense — leading to cramps or spasms.
A pelvic floor physiotherapist can guide you through exercises that relax your tense muscles, strengthen surrounding areas, and reduce symptoms.
Pace Yourself
Learning to balance activity and rest, known as pacing, prevents flare-ups while maintaining strength.
Tips for pacing include:
Doing activities for shorter periods with regular breaks
Setting a timer to rest before pain escalates
Gradually increasing activity by about 10% each week
Focusing on activities that matter most to you
Our women’s health physiotherapists or our exercise physiologist can guide you through this process and help you gradually increase your tolerance so you stay active without overdoing it.
Good Bowel Habits
Maintaining healthy bowel habits is particularly important if you live with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can worsen pelvic pain.
Staying hydrated, eating fibre-rich foods, and allowing yourself time to relax during bowel movements can all help ease pressure in the pelvic area.
Look After Your Mental Health
Chronic pain in general can take a toll emotionally as well as physically. Feelings of stress, frustration, or exhaustion are common, and these can, in turn, make pain feel more intense.
Simple self-care strategies such as deep breathing, gentle movement, and relaxation exercises can help calm your nervous system. If you’re finding it hard to cope, talking to a counsellor, psychologist, or trusted support person can make a big difference.
Connecting with others, even in small ways, helps too, whether it’s a walk with a friend or a quiet chat over the phone.
Diagnosis and Getting Help for Pelvic Pain
How is Persistent Pelvic Pain (PPP) Diagnosed?
Persistent pelvic pain can sometimes occur even without a clear physical cause. Your doctor will usually start with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, followed by a physical examination. They may also recommend imaging such as an ultrasound, laparoscopy, or cystoscopy to explore potential sources of pain.
From there, you might be referred to other healthcare professionals, such as a gynaecologist, pain specialist, psychologist, or women’s health physiotherapist. Each plays a unique role in understanding and managing your symptoms.
We, women’s health physiotherapists, are specially trained to assess the pelvic floor, abdominal, and hip muscles — areas that often contribute to ongoing pain. Through assessment and tailored treatment, we can help you retrain how these muscles function, reduce tension, and support recovery alongside your broader medical care.
If your pain has affected your ability to move confidently or stay active, working with our exercise physiologist can also help rebuild strength and function safely.
What to Expect from an Initial Assessment
The first consultation should be a space where you feel heard, validated, and supported. Many women
seek help because they want to understand what’s causing their pain, and it’s important that their experiences are acknowledged.
Healthcare providers, including women’s health physiotherapists, often spend time listening to your story and understanding your goals before creating a plan that feels achievable and personal. Building this kind of trust helps make the treatment process collaborative, rather than overwhelming.
Unfortunately, pelvic pain is still surrounded by stigma and embarrassment, which can make it difficult to speak up. Compassionate care and empowerment that encourages open communication can make a big difference in both diagnosis and recovery.
Can Persistent Pelvic Pain Be Prevented?
While not all cases can be prevented, early assessment and management can make a big difference. Investigating painful periods, pelvic discomfort, or bladder and bowel issues early — even during adolescence — can prevent symptoms from becoming chronic.
Even for ongoing pain, seeking support early can help reduce tension, improve movement, and prevent pain from taking over your daily life.
How We Can Help
At Women’s Health Hub, our women’s health physiotherapists and our exercise physiologist provide evidence-based, empowering care to help you understand and manage pelvic pain.
We offer:
Comprehensive pelvic floor assessment and rehabilitation
Tailored exercise and movement programs
Pain management and relaxation strategies
Support for endometriosis, bladder, and bowel-related pain
Education to help you feel confident and in control of your body again
Whether you’re dealing with ongoing pelvic pain or just starting to notice symptoms, our team is here to support your recovery with evidence-based care.
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