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Pelvic Pain | Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic Pain “Michigan Pelvic Health Institute"

  • One in five men and women in the U.S. have pelvic floor dysfunction.
  • Many people with pelvic pain have seen multiple doctors and have had many tests and procedures, but they still do not know the cause of their pain.
  • A common cause of pelvic pain is tightening of the muscles of the pelvic floor.
  • The pelvic floor is made up of a croup of muscles whose job is to support the pelvic organs, (bladder, uterus, rectum) and to control bowel and bladder function. These muscles may tighten in response to pelvic or abdominal surgeries or procedures, childbirth or from chronic yeast or urinary tract infections. People who have abdominal or pelvic cancers may have muscle tightness and shortening from procedures, surgery and radiation.

Symptoms

  • Lower abdominal pain
  • pressure
  • Period pain
  • Bladder urgency and frequency
  • Painful urination
  • IBS or constipation
  • Back pain
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Fatigue and depression

Treatments

  • Ultrasound
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Visceral mobilization
  • Manual therapy
  • Internal and external pelvic floor
  • Biofeedback
  • Kinesiotaping

Breast Cancer Rehab

  • Pain
  • Loss of shoulder range of motion
  • Muscle weakness
  • Postural changes
  • Deconditioning / fatigue

Cancer-Related Fatigue

  • Exhaustion not relieved by rest or sleep
  • Fatigue from weakness
Meet Our Therapist

Ashley Niemi, PT, DPT graduated from the University of Evansville, in Evansville, Indiana,, in 2012 with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise and Sport Science. She continued on to receive her Doctorate of Physical therapy in 2014 from the University of Evansville. After gaining experience as a PT for a year and a half, Ashley began to specialize in pregnancy and postpartum care and urinary incontinence in patients.

Over the last two and a half years, Ashley has taken several additional continuing education classes in order to gain further knowledge to treat this specialized population including courses focusing on bowel issues, pelvic pain, male pelvic conditions, breast cancer, urogenital cancers, endometriosis and more. In addition to her courses related to her specialty, Ashley has taken several courses focusing in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine including Functional Movement Screen, Kinesio-Taping and is a Preferred Graston Technique Provider.

Ashley is currently working towards her Pelvic Health Physical therapist certification and helping to build the Michigan Pelbic Health Institute at Plymouth Physical therapy Specialsis. Moving forward, ashley continues to schedule classes to acquire more knowledge regarding complated pregnancy and postpartum cases, pediatrics and female athletes. Her main coal besides providing excellent patient and outcomes is in educating her patients and instilling confidence that pelvic health is as important aspect in many people's lives and that most conditions are treatable and are able to be easily maintained.

In Ashley's spare time, she enjoys snuggling with her dog, watching Sports, traveling with her husband, doing yoga and CrossFit.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help With Pelvic Pain?
Physical Therapists trained in pelvic floor dysfunction can treat vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, dyspareunia, vaginismus, and abdominal/pelvic scar pain.

 

Physical Therapy may help you if you have any of the following:

  • Pain in your vagina, penis or rectum
  • Testicular Pain
  • Pain during or after intercourse
  • Pain with urination or bowel movements
  • Pain with sitting
  • Pain from a surgical incision in the pelvis or abdomen or from an episiotomy
  • Pain with pelvic exams
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Prostatectomy and prostatitis