Pelvic Pain & Dysfunction

Types of Pelvic Pain & Dysfunction

Pelvic pain can be chronic or intermittent, sharp or dull, and may feel like aching, burning, or pressure. It can be caused by muscle tightness, nerve irritation, scar tissue, or joint dysfunction.

  • Dyspareunia:

    Pain during or after intercourse.

  • Vulvodynia:

    Chronic vulvar pain with no clear cause.

  • Vaginismus:

    Involuntary muscle tightening that makes penetration painful or impossible.

  • Vestibulodynia:

    Burning or sharp pain at the vaginal entrance.

  • Dysorgasmia:

    Pain with orgasm, often linked to nerve or muscle dysfunction.

Painful Sex

Pain with intercourse isn’t just physical—it can also impact emotional well-being, relationships, and confidence. About 20% of women experience persistent pain during sex (Harlow et al., 2018).

Common Treatment Approaches for Pelvic Floor Care:

Nervous System Support

Helping your body feel safe is the first step in reducing pelvic floor tension and pain.

Gentle Desensitization

If touch feels overwhelming or painful, we use gradual, gentle exposure to help your nervous system feel safe again. This can reduce hypersensitivity and discomfort over time.

Learn how your nervous system affects pelvic floor function

Breathing & Stress-Relief Techniques

Deep breathing and calming exercises help regulate your nervous system and gently relax pelvic muscles. These are the foundation for reducing tension in your body.

Muscle & Tissue Release

These techniques address physical tightness in the pelvic floor and surrounding areas.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Relaxation

You'll learn exercises to release involuntary tension in the pelvic floor and improve coordination. This can support better bladder, bowel, and sexual function.

Targeted Stretches & Movement

Customized gentle stretches and movements reduce tension in the hips, abdomen, and pelvic floor. These are designed to support your unique needs and comfort level.

Scar Tissue & Fascia Release

For those with a history of childbirth, surgery, or injury, scar tissue and fascia (connective tissue) can become tight and cause discomfort.

These techniques help:

  • Soften stiff fascia

  • Improve mobility

  • Reduce pain caused by restricted tissue

Fascia is like a web that holds everything together — when it tightens, it can trap tension.

Myofascial Release (MRF)

A hands-on technique that gently targets tight muscles and fascia to reduce pain and improve circulation.

Internal MRF:

Performed by a trained therapist to release deep pelvic floor tension from the inside.

External MRF:

Targets surrounding muscles (hips, glutes, abdomen) that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Support for Comfortable Intimacy

Pain with intimacy is common — and treatable. You deserve to feel safe and comfortable in your body.

Education & Modifications

We’ll guide you through:

  • Using lubricants

  • Exploring comfortable positions

  • Making simple modifications for pain-free, enjoyable intimacy

By addressing both physical tension and nervous system response, we can support long-term relief and more fulfilling intimate experiences.