Pelvic Pain when Sneezing
Have you ever experienced intense or nagging discomfort in your pelvic region when you sneeze? While it could feel like a one-time occurrence, sneezing accompanied by pelvic pain can indicate significant and certainly not isolated problems.
In fact, this sneezing-with-pain scenario could signal a crucial pelvic floor dysfunction that needs attention. Pelvic therapy is likely to be the first and best treatment.
This article will attempt to explain the how and why of pelvic pain during a sneeze, and the best way Lilly Physical Therapy can help fix it..
What Makes Sneezing Cause Pelvic Pain?
Sneezing causes a sudden increase in intraabdominal pressure, which can cause pelvic pain in some people. Here are some common conditions that can cause pelvic pain when you sneeze.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Dysfunction of the pelvic floor can lead to a range of serious problems. The muscles that make up the pelvic floor may be overactive or weak and, therefore, fail to adequately support the pelvic organs during sudden movements. This can lead to urinary incontinence, constipation, and even passing gas inappropriately.
Hernias
A protrusion of an organ through the muscle wall characterizes hernias. If the organ involved is located in the pelvis or abdomen, then an hernia may be causing your pain, which might be exacerbated by sneezing.
Muscle Strain or Injury
Injured or overworked muscles in the pelvic area can become irritated when sudden movements are made.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can cause intense pain and discomfort in women, especially when sneezing.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the upper reproductive organs. It makes them tender so that when you cough or sneeze, you may feel a sharp jab of pain in your pelvis.
How To Manage Pelvic Pain while Sneezing at Home
While experiencing pelvic pain when sneezing isn’t normal, there are ways to manage tt, even at home.
- Ensure you're getting enough water to keep your tissues supple and maintain their elasticity—this is a crucial part of their healing process.
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods like dark, leafy greens, berries, and fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Meditate or do yoga. These are forms of "mind-body" medicine. They reduce stress. Stress can contribute to pelvic tension.
- When your pelvic muscles are too tight, they can hurt. Use a supportive tool like a pelvic support belt or cushion to take the weight off of your pelvis and its muscles during your daily routine.
When to Seek Medical Help for Pelvic Pain when Sneezing
Ignoring pelvic pain that extends beyond the norm or intensifies over time is a poor health decision. It allows minor issues to develop into chronic conditions that prove much more costly—both in terms of money and time—to treat.
You should seek pelvic pain treatment if you experience pain that's constant, intense, or "sharp," or that you'd describe as "severe" or "worse than usual." Also, pain that keeps you from doing things you need to do or want to do or pain that limits your movement requires medical help.
You should visit Lilly Physical Therapy if you experience rrinary incontinence, painful bowel movements, or discomfort during sexual activity. Also, pain radiating to the lower back or legs usually indicates an underlying condition.
How Can Physical Therapy Help with Pelvic Pain when Sneezing?
When it comes to treating pelvic pain, including that which might be induced by a good sneeze, pelvic floor therapy is an established go-to. Some physical therapy techniques that may be used to address this condition include:
Shockwave Therapy
Acoustic waves stimulate tissue repair and significantly reduce pain. Shockwave therapy in Edmonds is a non-invasive treatment and is particularly good for chronic pelvic pain conditions and conditions involving tendonitis or muscle tightness.
Shockwaves are sound waves with a very short wavelength. When they are administered to the area of pain, they create micro-traumas in the tissue. This in turn initiates a healing response and well-oxygenated blood to the area.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a tactile, hands-on technique used in the treatment of muscle tension, tightness, and mobility concerns. The release is performed by applying gentle, sustained pressure to the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding the muscles, nerves, and bones.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
This treatment concentrates on either strengthening or relaxing the pelvic floor muscles to ensure that they function correctly. Your therapist may also techniques like biofeedback to enhance your awareness of what your pelvic floor muscles are doing and to help you coordinate their movements.
Postural Training
Correcting your posture can eliminate some of the strain that your pelvic region is under when you make sudden movements. Your therapist will help you do some exercises that will enable you to maintain a position—standing, sitting, or lying down—that is free of undue stress.
Conclusion
When pelvic pain accompanies sneezing, it could look like a small issue. However, it could be a sign of an underlying problem in the pelvic floor that needs addressing. Figuring out why it happens is key to finding a solution.
Your physical therapist can examine your condition to determine the cause of your pelvic pain and create a customized treatment plan to improve your quality of life.