physiotherapy for sexual pain
It's completely natural to experience a range of emotions when considering pelvic physiotherapy. You may feel nervous, fearful, worried, ashamed, lonely, sad, angry, or even inadequate—and that’s okay!
First and foremost, we want to assure you that creating a safe environment is our top priority. Our therapy approach focuses on respecting your pace, allowing you to progress comfortably without feeling rushed. Your ongoing consent is vital—please let us know if you wish to slow down or take a break. We are committed to explaining everything in advance and checking in with you consistently throughout the treatment process.
Secondly, knowledge truly is power! We’ve seen how understanding the process can significantly ease concerns. Pelvic physiotherapy restores normal muscle tone, movement patterns, and neural pathways. When addressing sexual pain, we consider both physical (your body) and psychological (your thoughts and feelings) elements. Our method is focused on fostering a soothing space for both your body and mind, helping you gradually unlearn any ‘threat’ responses that intimacy may bring up. This encourages the creation of new pathways that can turn pain into pleasure and fear into confidence.
Assessment
Your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough evaluation to uncover potential causes and contributing factors to your pain, which includes:
A detailed discussion of your health history, covering gynaecological, sexual, pregnancy, and childbirth experiences.
An external evaluation of your posture, hip mobility, lower back function, and abdominal strength.
An assessment of your movement and breathing patterns to see how they might impact your pelvic floor.
An internal examination may be done (with your consent, of course) to assess the tone, strength, and tenderness of your pelvic floor muscles. This will only happen when you feel ready; we’ll proceed at your pace, ensuring you always feel safe and in control. Typically, this internal assessment will not take place during your first visit.
Treatment Approaches
After your assessment, your physiotherapist will create a personalised treatment plan that may include:
Manual therapy techniques: Gentle massage, myofascial release, and stretching to relax tight muscles and fascia.
Pelvic floor relaxation training: Learning to consciously relax your pelvic floor muscles through guided breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, body awareness, and visualisation.
Dilator therapy: Using graduated tools to stretch tissues and relax muscle tension gently.
Manual biofeedback: The physiotherapist may use their finger internally to help you visualise and learn to regulate pelvic floor muscle activity.
Thought challenges: Exploring perceptions of anatomy, views on sex and sexuality, and societal norms.
Nervous system downregulation: This process is crucial for calming overactive pelvic floor nerves and breaking cycles of tension and pain. Techniques like deep breathing, gentle stretching, and mindfulness help transition the body from the "fight-or-flight" state to a calming "rest-and-digest" state.
Exercise programs: Targeted movements designed to enhance muscle coordination, strength, endurance, and mobility, often focusing on the core, pelvic floor, and hips.
Education: Learning about your body's responses and how to manage them, which covers:
The anatomy and function of the pelvic floor and abdominal canister.
Pain science and the mind-body connection.
Understanding muscle synergies within the pelvis.
Understanding the science behind sex and that you are normal!
Sexual positions and modifications to decrease discomfort.
Communication strategies with partners about pain and comfort levels.
Bowel and bladder training, if needed.
The Team Approach
We collaborate closely within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) framework to ensure every patient receives the individualised care they deserve.
The First Step
You deserve to have enjoyable and comfortable sexual experiences—there’s no need to settle for pain during sex!
Taking the first step towards enhancing your experience is easy. Just take a moment for yourself and book your initial appointment. We’re here to support you every step of the way, so visit us and let’s embark on this journey together!
We look forward to meeting you!