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Pelvic Pain when Coughing

Pelvic Pain when Coughing

pelvic floor therapy for pelvic pain when coughing

Coughing causes some people to experience pelvic pain, and that is more than just an annoyance. It's a signal from your body that something could be amiss. If you're one of the sufferers, you know the pain can feel sharp, pulling, or cramp-like, and it can put a serious dent in your day-to-day activities and your ability to exercise or perform in any other way. 

While the occasional discomfort might not seem concerning, if you experience persistent or recurring pain—especially if you don't have a history of it—something's up, and your body is trying to tell you to pay attention.

This article explores the possible causes of pelvic pain when coughing and how pelvic floor therapy can help.

What are the Causes of Pelvic Pain When Coughing?

When you cough and feel pelvic pain, it can arise from one of several conditions or dysfunctions, such as:

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. When these muscles are weak, overactive, or strained, they can fail to manage the sharp increase in pressure that occurs with a forceful cough, resulting in pain or a feeling of discomfort.

Hernias

When tissue pushes through a weak area in the abdominal or pelvic wall, a hernia occurs. Sharp pain, especially during activities that heighten the pressure inside the abdomen—such as coughing —can result from an inguinal or femoral hernia.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

When the pelvic organs, like the bladder or uterus, bulge or sag, it's often due to weak support structures. Some women can have it without even knowing it. But when it does become a problem, it can make a person feel a lot of pressure in the pelvic region. And that's not the only symptom. Some women feel like something's fallen out down there. 

Muscle Strain or Injury

Straining or injuring the pelvic or lower abdominal muscles can lead to pelvic pain when coughing. The most common causes of these muscle problems are overexertion and intense physical activity—especially activities like running, jumping, or lifting—that put extreme force on the muscles and require sudden changes in direction. 

Pelvic pain from muscle strain may also occur after recent childbirth when the pelvic and lower abdominal muscles are still healing.

Scar Tissue or Adhesions

Scar tissue or adhesions can result from pelvic surgery or injury. Scar tissue can limit movement and cause pain. Coughing can pull on the adhesions and make the pain more acute than it usually is.

Other Underlying Conditions

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, endometriosis, and even gastrointestinal problems are other problems can lead to discomfort in the pelvis when you cough.

When Is It Necessary To See A Doctor for Pelvic Pain When Coughing? 

While the average person might not be alarmed by infrequent pelvic pain, some signs and symptoms are clear indicators that you should seek professional medical advice. Caught early enough, many conditions that cause pelvic pain can be treated and even reversed. You should definitely see someone who knows what they're doing if your pain is persistent or worsening.

Also, pain that interferes with your daily activities or is accompanied by other symptoms such as urinary leakage, bowel dysfunction, or pressure in the pelvic area needs urgent pelvic pain treatment.

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Pelvic Pain When Coughing

At Lilly Physical Therapy. when a trained physical therapist evaluates your condition, they're considering not just the pelvic region but also what might be going on in other parts of your body.

Some frequently employed methods include the following: 

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Targeted exercises can either strengthen or relax the pelvic floor, depending on what the situation demands. These exercises—for instance, kegels—reduce pain, improve coordination among the pelvic floor muscles, and help those muscles work better under pressure.

Posture Training

Poor posture can put a strain on the pelvic region, exacerbating pain. Postural training teaches you to align not only your spine but also your pelvis to reduce unnecessary pressure.

Manual Therapy

Myofascial release, massage, or trigger point therapy are manual pelvic therapy techniques that can address pelvic pain when coughing. This treatment relieves tension in the abdominal and pelvic muscles while promoting relaxation and pain relief.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy in Edmonds is a non-invasive treatment for addressing pelvic pain. In the session, the therapist will hold a device in hand and apply it to the area needing treatment. This device supplies safe acoustic waves to the painful region.

You might feel a slight twinge of discomfort, but most people find the procedure quite easy to manage—especially when compared to other medical treatments that involve lasers, for instance. You should be able to go about your day without any special considerations after the session.

Conclusion

If you're experiencing pelvic pain when coughing, it's essential to consult a physical therapist at Lilly Physical Therapy. What appears to be a simple cough could compound an underlying pelvic issue. Your therapist will examine you to identify the cause of your pelvic pain and prescribe a customized treatment for you.





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