If you’re experiencing sharp, burning, or stabbing pelvic pain—especially near the genitals, rectum, or perineum—you may be dealing with pudendal neuralgia. This often-misunderstood condition affects both men and women and can disrupt everything from sitting to intimacy to simply feeling safe in your body.
What Is Pudendal Neuralgia?
Pudendal neuralgia is a condition caused by irritation or entrapment of the pudendal nerve, which travels from the lower spine through the pelvis and supplies sensation to the perineum, anus, vulva, penis, and rectum.
Common symptoms include:
Burning or aching pain in the perineal area
Pain while sitting, using the bathroom, or during sexual activity
Numbness, tingling, or a “foreign object” sensation in the vagina or rectum
Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or physical activity
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help Pudendal Neuralgia?
What to Expect:
Gentle internal and external manual therapy to reduce muscle tension around the pudendal nerve
Neuroscience-informed pain education, helping you understand what pain is and why it persists
Graded exposure to sitting, exercise, or intimacy without fear
Mind-body strategies like breathwork, pacing, and postural alignment
Ergonomic tools (like cushions) and lifestyle modifications that give you more control
“Reassurance, movement, and meaningful education are treatment tools just as important as our hands.”
Why Choose EmpowerHeal Physical Therapy?
Whether you’re searching for pelvic therapy for men in DC or pelvic floor therapy for women in DC, our Bethesda-based team provides individualized, evidence-based care designed to reduce pain and restore confidence in your body.
We treat pudendal neuralgia through the lens of nervous system safety, movement freedom, and compassionate support