Let’s Get Physical! Musculoskeletal Pelvic Pain

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is associated with pelvic pain, physical disability, and sexual dysfunction. Prevalence estimates of musculoskeletal dysfunction in various pelvic pain conditions, including endometriosis, vulvodynia, and painful bladder syndrome, range from 21% to 80%.

In addition to being associated with other painful conditions, pain originating from pelvic floor muscles may refer to other body parts such as the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints, hips, and abdomen. Adding to this complexity is an interplay between muscles and neurons including maladaptive neuronal plasticity associated with widespread muscle pain that may manifest beyond the pelvis. This presentation will provide an overview of key abdominopelvic musculature and their contributions to pelvic pain, screening for musculoskeletal dysfunction, and components of a musculoskeletal pelvic pain examination.

A focus will be placed on reviewing the pelvic anatomy and hormonal/life states related to sex specific musculoskeletal pain, such as pregnancy, endometriosis, and sexual pain.

Additionally, the presentation will discuss the role of different musculoskeletal specialists such as physiatrists and physical therapists in identifying and treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.