3 Ways You might Be Unknowingly Contributing to Your Pelvic Pain
Almost half of Australian women reported having pelvic pain in the last 5 years.
😔
Are you one of them?
This stat is pretty devastating, when you consider how little we know about pelvic pain, how poorly pelvic pain is researched, and how dismissive the world is when a woman is brave enough to reveal she’s struggling with pelvic pain.
Pelvic Health Physios are a wealth of info about Pelvic pain, and can provide both hands on treatment, as well as loads of education and tips to support those strugging with pelvic pain. You can book a 30 minute consult at bodyBEgood to start getting help with your pelvic pain by clicking here.
Sometimes though, without even realizing it, we can unknowingly be contributing to our own discomfort.
So today I wanted to share with you 3 things we often discuss with our clients, to help them feel better:
Neglecting movement
We’ve all heard ‘sitting is the new smoking’. Whilst I’m not 100% convinced thats’s the case, sedentary behaviour can definitely enhance your sensation of pain in the pelvis.
In our modern, technology-driven world, it's easy to find yourself glued to a chair for an extended period. This prolonged sitting can lead to discomfort and pain.
If your daily routine involves tonnes of sitting, and toonot much movement, you might be unintentionally contributing to your pelvic pain.
So - let’s “break up: with your chair!
Set a timer to remind yourself to stand and move every hour.
Think about how you can incorporate short walks or stretches into your daily routine, like parking further from the office, or
Consider whether a sit-stand desk would work with your lifestyle better
By prioritizing movement, you'll be giving your pelvic region the relief it craves!
2. ignoring stress
Emotional stress and tension can manifest physically, particularly in your pelvic area. You know when you’re stressed, and you catch yourself tensing your neck and shoulders, or clenching your jaw? Well, if that’s familiar to you, chances are you’re clenching ‘down there’ as well!
Reducing your stress, or finding ways to better manage it (which is probably more realistic!) can work to reduce stress in your pelvic region, and overall reduce pain there.
You could try:
Schedule yourself a regular stress-reducing activity, which could be as simple as a few minutes of deep breathing, or get yourself along to a meditation or yoga class. There’s heaps of great online options for these too!
Seek support from friends, family, or even better - a mental health professional.
Prioritize self-care to nurture your emotional well-being. That means finding activities that help you feel grounded, relaxed, and less stressed!
Taking steps to address our emotional stress can have a positive impact on your pelvic health.
3. ignoring your pelvic floor!
Your Pelvic Floor muscles are a ‘hidden’ super hero of your body. They’re involved in so many important functions - we need them to activate, and relax, at the right times, in the right way, to ensure we are able to enjoy life to the fullest.
If you’re ignoring issues like a leaky bladder, constipation, painful intercourse, or other issues with your bowels, this might be linking directly to increased pelvic pain.
So, to get your pelvic floor in tip top condition:
Set aside a little window of time every day to work on Pelvic Floor exercise. It’s important that you focus on both contracting and relaxing these muscles!
Don’t dismiss or ignore any symptoms of leakage, pain, bulging or pressure in the pelvic region
Seek help from a Pelvic Health Professional if you’re unsure or worried about any pelvic floor symptoms.
Understanding the potential contributors to your pelvic pain is the first step towards finding relief.
By making sure you get enough movement, manage your stress, and give your pelvic floor some attention, you’re empowering yourself to take control of your pelvic well-being. Remember, small changes can lead to significant improvements in your comfort and overall quality of life.
Here's to a happier, healthier, and pain-free journey ahead!