Pelvic pain:
Pelvic pain treatment with pelvic floor physical therapy in Polk County
Pelvic pain that lingers, in the pelvis, tailbone, hips or low back, or during sex, often involves the muscles of the pelvic floor. Physical therapy can help. At Core Rehabilitation's three clinics in Polk County, Florida (Lake Wales, Haines City and Winter Haven), a licensed physical therapist treats pelvic pain privately and one-on-one, and you can start without a referral.
Serving Lake Wales · Haines City · Winter Haven
What's actually going on: Pelvic pain: the short version
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that runs from your pubic bone to your tailbone. These muscles support your bladder and bowel, and they tighten and relax every time you breathe, cough, lift or go to the bathroom.
With pelvic pain, these muscles are often too tight or overactive rather than too weak. Muscles that can't relax can cause an ache in the pelvis, pain when sitting, tailbone pain, pain during or after sex, and a frequent urge to pee. Pregnancy and childbirth, a fall onto the tailbone, long-term constipation, surgery, stress and conditions such as endometriosis or interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome) can all play a part.
Pelvic pain has many possible causes, including the bladder, bowel, reproductive organs and hip joint. That's why your therapist asks about the care you've had so far and works alongside your doctor when another cause needs ruling out. Pelvic pain affects men too, for example chronic pelvic pain syndrome (sometimes called chronic prostatitis), and we treat it.
When pelvic pain needs a doctor first
Pelvic pain should be checked by a doctor before physical therapy if it's new or comes with any of these signs. See a doctor, or go to urgent care or the emergency room, before you book.
Sudden, severe pelvic or belly pain, or pain with fainting. Go to the emergency room.
Pelvic pain with a fever, unusual discharge or burning when you pee.
Heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods or after menopause, or blood in your urine or stool.
Pelvic pain when you could be pregnant, or a sudden loss of bladder or bowel control with numbness around the groin.
If your doctor has checked you and the pain continues, physical therapy is a safe and reasonable next step.
How we help: How physical therapy treats pelvic pain
Physical therapy for pelvic pain starts with a private conversation about your symptoms, health history and goals. Your therapist then checks your posture, breathing, hips, low back and belly, and how your pelvic floor muscles tighten and relax. They explain each part of the assessment before starting and ask for your consent first. You can pause or skip anything.
Treatment combines learning to relax and lengthen tight pelvic floor muscles, with breathing that helps them let go, with stretching and strengthening for the hips, low back and core, and gentle hands-on care for tight muscles and tissue around the hips, belly and pelvis.
You also learn habits that calm symptoms: how to sit, how to empty your bladder and bowel without straining, and what to do in a flare-up. If you also have leaking, urgency or a feeling of heaviness, your plan covers those too. See pelvic floor therapy for the full program.
For interstitial cystitis (bladder pain syndrome) with pelvic floor tenderness, the American Urological Association's guideline recommends manual physical therapy and advises avoiding pelvic floor strengthening exercises such as Kegels.
"Isn't pelvic floor therapy just Kegels?"
No. With pelvic pain the muscles are often already too tight, and Kegels can make that worse. Many plans start by teaching the muscles to relax.
"Is pelvic pain just part of life after having kids?"
No. Pelvic pain after pregnancy or childbirth is common, but it's treatable, months or even years later.
How long it lasts: How long does pelvic pain take to improve?
It depends on the cause and how long it's been there. Pain from tight pelvic floor muscles often eases over several weeks to a few months of steady work. Pain that has lasted for years usually takes longer, and progress often comes in steps.
Your therapist checks in at every visit and tells you if another specialist should be involved.
What to expect: How long does it take to feel better?
It depends on what's driving your pain and how long you've had it. Results differ from person to person. After your evaluation, your therapist will tell you what's realistic for you.
Your first visit is a private conversation about when the pain happens, what eases it and what you want to get back to. Then comes testing. It usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes. A licensed physical therapist does your first evaluation and writes your plan of care. Between therapist visits, a physical therapist assistant may treat you under that plan. Here's what your first visit involves →
Early on, the focus is easing pain: breathing and relaxation for the pelvic floor, more comfortable sitting and fewer flare-ups.
As you progress, hip and core strength and a gradual return to exercise, intimacy, long car rides or full workdays help keep the pain from coming back.
Before you come in, wear comfortable clothes. Bring a list of your medicines and any notes from your doctor or specialist. You're welcome to bring a support person.
Who treats it: Who treats pelvic pain: a physical therapist, a gynecologist, a urologist or your doctor?
Pelvic pain often needs a team. A physical therapist treats the muscles, joints and habits involved, and in Florida you can book directly, without a referral.
See your doctor, gynecologist or urologist first, or as well, if no doctor has checked your pain yet and it's new, severe or getting worse, or if you have changes in bleeding, or in your bladder or bowels.
They can run tests and offer medicines or other treatments. We're glad to work alongside them.
Where to get treated: Pelvic pain treatment at our Winter Haven, Lake Wales and Haines City clinics
Winter Haven: 3017 Cypress Gardens Rd, about a mile from LEGOLAND Florida. Mon–Fri 9–12 and 1–5. 863-268-6523.
Lake Wales: 2031 State Rd 60 East, at SR 60 and Buck Moore Rd. Mon–Fri 8–12 and 1–5. 863-678-0705.
Haines City: 50 Maxcy Plaza Circle, just off US 27. Mon–Fri 8–12 and 1–5. 863-421-2000.
Every clinic treats pelvic pain with pelvic floor therapy, and Spanish-speaking staff are available. Most new patients get a first appointment within a few days to three weeks.
Common questions about pelvic pain
What does a physical therapist do for pelvic pain?
They check how your pelvic floor, hips, back and breathing work together, then teach tight muscles to relax, strengthen the hips and core, and use gentle hands-on care. You also learn habits for sitting, bathroom use and flare-ups.
Can physical therapy help pelvic pain after pregnancy?
Yes. Pelvic girdle pain, tailbone pain and pain with sex after childbirth often respond well to pelvic floor physical therapy, even months or years after delivery.
What are the signs of a tight pelvic floor?
Common signs are an ache in the pelvis or tailbone, pain when sitting, pain during or after sex or with tampons, a frequent or urgent need to pee, trouble emptying fully, and constipation or straining.
Will my visits be private?
Yes. Pelvic floor therapy is one-on-one in a private room. Your therapist explains each step first and asks for your consent, and you can pause or skip anything.
Do I need a referral for pelvic pain treatment?
No. In Florida you can start physical therapy without a physician's referral. If you need treatment beyond 30 days for a problem no doctor has assessed, a doctor must review and sign your plan of care.
Where can I get pelvic pain treatment in Winter Haven?
At Core Rehabilitation, 3017 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven (863-268-6523). We also treat pelvic pain at our Lake Wales and Haines City clinics.
Does insurance cover physical therapy for pelvic pain?
Pelvic floor therapy is billed as physical therapy, so it's often covered when your plan includes physical therapy benefits. We accept more than 200 plans, including Medicare, and check your benefits before your first visit.
Request an appointment
Tell us a little about you and your preferred location, and our team will reach out to schedule your visit. Prefer to talk? Call the clinic nearest you.
Lake Wales · 863-678-0705
Haines City · 863-421-2000
Winter Haven · 863-268-6523