EmpowerHeal Physical Therapy
Pelvic Floor Therapy and EDS physical therapy serving Bethesda and Washington DC surrounding metropolitan areas
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Pelvic Floor Therapy and EDS physical therapy serving Bethesda and Washington DC surrounding metropolitan areas
When we hear the word “headache,” we immediately think of pain in the head — a throbbing, stabbing, or dull ache that disrupts our daily lives. But what if that same type of discomfort showed up in an entirely different part of the body, like the pelvis? Believe it or not, some people experience pelvic pain that is often described as a “headache” in the pelvis — a sharp, persistent, or throbbing pain that can feel just as debilitating.
The phrase “headache in the pelvis” is a metaphor used to describe a chronic, intense pain sensation localized in the pelvic region. Much like a headache signals tension, inflammation, or nerve irritation in the head, pelvic pain can indicate a variety of underlying issues affecting muscles, nerves, organs, or connective tissue in the lower abdomen and pelvic floor.
Pelvic pain can present as:
Persistent aching or burning sensations
Sharp or stabbing pains during movement or prolonged sitting
Pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area
Pain during intercourse, urination, or bowel movements
Just as with headaches, this pain can range from mild and intermittent to severe and chronic.
Understanding the root causes of pelvic pain is key to finding relief. Some common sources include:
Tension, spasms, or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles can cause pain similar to muscle tension headaches. These muscles support the bladder, uterus (in women), rectum, and other pelvic organs. When they become overactive or injured, pain often radiates in the pelvis.
Nerves like the pudendal nerve can become compressed or irritated, leading to sharp, shooting pain or a burning sensation in the pelvis — akin to a neural headache.
Conditions such as endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, or prostatitis can cause ongoing inflammation and discomfort.
For women, ovarian cysts, fibroids, or menstrual cramps can cause pelvic pain. Men may experience similar pain due to prostate issues.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, or urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also present as pelvic pain.
We are here to make you feel better. We constantly invest in courses, journals, networking in pelvic floor rehabilitation in people of all genders to stay up to date with providing top-notch pelvic floor physical therapy and care to people dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction.