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Pelvic Pain Physical Therapy in Pasadena

Pelvic Pain Can Affect More Than One Part of Your Life

Pelvic pain may be there for months or years, or show up alongside low back or hip pain, bladder or bowel symptoms, pain with intimacy, or other symptoms that can be difficult to make sense of.

Dr. Stephany works directly with women and men. Her Pain Management experience helps her look at the fuller picture, consider other symptoms that may be connected, and explain how they may relate to your treatment.

Does This Sound Familiar?

Pelvic pain can involve the pelvis, low back, hips, or abdomen. It may also occur with bowel, urinary, or sexual symptoms. Dr. Stephany works with both women and men; pelvic pain can show up differently from person to person.

 Bowel Symptoms

Bowel symptoms may include:

  • Stool consistency that varies from loose to hard

  • Pain or straining with a bowel movement

  • Feeling of incomplete emptying

  • Bloating

  • Fecal incontinence

Urinary Symptoms

Urinary symptoms may include:

  • Voiding more than 8–9 times a day

  • Pain or straining to urinate

  • Difficulty starting a stream of urine

  • Leakage

Sexual Symptoms in Women

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain with penetration

  • Persistent genital arousal dysfunction (PGAD)

  • Clitoral pain

Sexual Symptoms in Men

Symptoms may include:

  • Erectile dysfunction

  • Pain with ejaculation

  • Hard/flaccid syndrome

  • Testicular pain

  • Penile pain

Conditions Associated With Pelvic Symptoms

Pelvic symptoms may also be associated with conditions including: 

  • Persistent pelvic pain

  • Endometriosis

  • PCOS

  • Vaginismus

  • Vulvodynia

  • Painful bladder / interstitial cystitis

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

  • Pudendal neuralgia

  • PGAD

  • Hard/flaccid syndrome

When More Than One Symptom Is Part of the Picture

Pelvic pain can show up alongside low back or hip pain, bladder urgency or frequency, constipation, bowel symptoms, sexual symptoms, and other chronic pain concerns.

Dr. Stephany does not assume every symptom has the same cause. She takes time to listen, understand what you are experiencing, and look at the fuller picture. Her Pain Management background includes experience with the emotional toll of long-term pain, along with continuing education in Pain Science to better explain the pain experience and provide methods to gain more control over symptoms.

You work directly with Dr. Stephany and can talk openly about concerns that may feel personal or embarrassing, including bowel habits, bladder symptoms, sexual dysfunction, or leakage.

What Can Pelvic Pain Physical Therapy Involve?

Your first visit includes a review of your medical history and symptoms, along with how they affect your daily life, including work or school, sleep, recreation, exercise, and stress or emotions.

Dr. Stephany completes an orthopedic and pelvic floor assessment, which may include internal vaginal or rectal work, to assess strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. Your goals for therapy are discussed and used to develop a plan of care.

Questions Before You Start

Can you treat my specific symptoms?

If you are not sure whether your symptoms fit pelvic floor physical therapy, talk with Dr. Stephany about what you are experiencing. She can help determine whether pelvic floor physical therapy may be appropriate for your symptoms.

I’ve had my symptoms for a long time. Can something still be done?

Although pain that has been present for a long time can be more difficult to treat, there is still room for improvement in your symptoms and quality of life.

Do you take insurance?

Medicare is accepted. For other plans, Foothill is an out-of-network provider and can provide a superbill that patients may submit to their insurance for possible reimbursement.

How long will I need PT?

This varies for everyone and at different stages of a condition. Weekly visits are usually recommended initially to establish a baseline, explore what treatments work best for you, and find what can be incorporated into your routine. As you become more confident managing symptoms independently, treatment frequency can decrease as you and Dr. Stephany agree. Sometimes people return after a flare-up, and that is okay too.

Ready to Talk About What You’re Experiencing?

You may have been living with pain or other pelvic symptoms for months or years, and some of what you are experiencing may feel personal or uncomfortable to talk about. Dr. Stephany works directly with you and gives you space to talk openly about what is happening.

If you are ready to better understand your symptoms and what may help you manage them more comfortably, let’s talk.

Looking for a Different Area of Care?

If your concerns are more related to pregnancy or postpartum, bladder or bowel symptoms, perimenopause or menopause,  low back and hip pain, you can explore the other areas of care.

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