Teenage Pelvic Pain
Being a teenager is not always easy. New schools, new friends, new schedules, homework, housework sport, parents, siblings and social media. And that is the baseline. There are periods, pimples and parties and this is often before high school has even started. But for pain there is another layer….pain.
Persistent Pelvic Pain (PPP) is pain that is felt in the pelvis, abdomen and lower back. It can come in a cycle (such as when you get your period), random bursts (like after sport) or can be there all the time. If the pain has been around for more than 6 months it is considered persistent pain. PPP in teenagers is common but commonly the young people I see feel very alone. Sometimes there is a clear cause for the pain (such as endometriosis or a bladder infection) and sometimes there is no clear cause. It still hurts. The pain is still real.
For many it can start with their periods, pain that can leave them curled in a ball, unable to go to school, feeling faint, feeling helpless. Sometimes it can start with tampons – unable to swim in the school carnival because inserting a tampon too painful or just too hard. It can be painful to hold a wee, impossible to get out a poo and a struggle to get through a game of netball. Sex can hurt. Like really hurt.
Usually by this point, you have seen your GP, you have been scanned and medicated. Hopefully the pill or the pain relief has helped but if not they may have referred you on to a gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, urologist or a psychologist. Attending all these appointments for young people (and their parents!) can seem like a full time job so when your care provider suggests that you see a physiotherapist it is not surprising that many simply do not book the appointment – what is a pelvic health physio anyway and how are they going to help?
We now know that the best way to manage PPP is with an experienced team of health care professionals treating you. A team that are all on the same page and all working with you to manage your pain.
A pelvic health physio is a really important member of this team as they are experts in treating the nerves, muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis. A pelvic floor that is tight can cause pain with sport, holding a wee, doing a poo, using tampons, having sex and having fun. Your pelvic health physio will teach why this happens and what you can do about it in a way that makes sense to you. They are experts at working with you to identify what shapes, drives and inspires you as a person. They will listen to you, assess you, set meaningful goals with you and help you build a tool kit to manage your pain so you can comfortably get to school, play sport, hang out with your friends and engage in your life.
Interested?
Call 8239 2811 to make a booking.