Navigating Pelvic Pain: What You Need to Know
Chronic pelvic pain is one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions in modern healthcare. For many people, the journey to understanding their symptoms is long, frustrating, and often invalidating. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve experienced discomfort, been misdiagnosed, or dismissed entirely. You’re not alone—and there is a path forward.
At Spruce Physical Therapy, we specialize in treating chronic pelvic pain using evidence-based, compassionate care. Our founder, Dr. Claire Hamnett, PT, DPT, WCS, PRPC, CLT, is a nationally recognized pelvic health expert with extensive experience treating pelvic pain in people of all genders.
What Is Chronic Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain is pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region lasting more than six months. It can be constant or intermittent and may range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations. It often coexists with symptoms like:
Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Low back or hip pain
Muscle tightness
Abdominal bloating or cramping
Common Causes of Pelvic Pain
Understanding the root cause of pelvic pain is complex. It may stem from one or multiple systems:
Musculoskeletal: Tight or weak pelvic floor muscles, hip instability, postural dysfunction
Gynecological: Endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, adenomyosis
Gastrointestinal: IBS, constipation, IBD
Urological: Interstitial cystitis, recurrent UTIs, bladder pain syndrome
Neurological: Pudendal neuralgia, nerve entrapment
Trauma and Stress: Birth injury, surgery, sexual trauma, chronic stress
Pelvic pain can also be cyclical or hormonally driven. For many, the cause remains "unknown," but symptoms are real and treatable.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Helps
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a first-line, evidence-based treatment for chronic pelvic pain. At Spruce, our sessions may include:
Internal and external manual therapy
Myofascial release
Trigger point therapy
Breathing and nervous system regulation
Scar tissue mobilization
Home exercise programming
Neuromuscular re-education
PFPT addresses the musculoskeletal component of pain, improves pelvic floor coordination, and empowers you to manage flare-ups and regain confidence in your body.
What to Expect in Treatment
No two treatment plans are the same. Your care will be personalized based on your symptoms, goals, and comfort. At Spruce, we:
Begin with a 60-minute 1:1 evaluation
Create a custom plan including hands-on therapy and movement
Adjust each session based on how your body responds
Collaborate with other providers as needed (GI, GYN, urogynecology, pain management)
We treat the whole person—not just the pelvic floor.
When to Seek Help
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain that interferes with your quality of life, physical therapy can be a game-changer. You don’t need to "wait it out," get a referral, or live with unanswered questions.
Even if you’ve seen multiple providers already, PFPT can offer relief that other specialties cannot. Early intervention can also prevent symptoms from becoming chronic.
My patients often arrive feeling unheard or unsure whether their pain is valid. It is. My job is to listen, identify contributing factors, and provide tools to help you move forward with strength and clarity. Pelvic pain doesn’t define you—and it’s possible to live without it. Let’s take the next step, together.
