Originally published on June 30, 2023 by Vital Physiotherapy & Wellness, now part of the Bravella Health network. Original author: Linnea Thacker.
By: Linnea Thacker, MScPT, DMA
Low-back pain is tremendously prevalent. It’s one of the most common reasons that an individual seeks care from their primary healthcare provider (e.g. family doctor) or from a complementary or alternative healthcare provider (e.g. physiotherapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, etc.).[1] And, unfortunately, back pain can seem difficult to treat, with many individuals experiencing less-than-complete resolution from their symptoms after working with healthcare providers. After all, back pain can have many potential contributing factors to explore, including a host of lifestyle factors.
One great tool for addressing back pain is pelvic health physiotherapy.
What?!
Yes, you read that correctly. There is a growing body of research showing a link between low-back pain and pelvic floor function, which is giving us a different lens through which we view, and therefore treat, this common pain.
The link between low-back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction
As it turns out, it’s not uncommon to experience back pain alongside some other pelvic symptoms, like urinary incontinence, urinary urge (feeling like you suddenly really have to go), or urinary frequency (feeling like you’re always having to pee).[2,3] Even if you don’t have classic symptoms associated with the pelvic floor, it’s possible the pelvic floor muscles are not at their happiest. For instance, researchers identified a link between low-back pain and increased pelvic floor muscle pressure-pain sensitivity.[4] When we talk about increased muscle pressure-pain sensitivity, we can think of it as when your shoulders feel “tight” and seemingly gentle pressure on certain points of the neck and shoulders can generate a surprisingly strong pain response. (Checking for this response is a typical part of a pelvic floor assessment.)
Not only does there appear to be a clear correlation between back pain and pelvic health, but in some cases, this correlation appears to be shockingly strong. In a study of women with lumbopelvic pain (low-back, hip, buttock, or pelvic pain), 95.3% were found to have some form of pelvic floor dysfunction.[4] Clearly the low-back region and pelvic floor are deeply connected!
Not surprisingly then, there’s evidence to suggest that including the pelvic floor in a low-back assessment and treatment plan can be helpful. For instance, one study demonstrated that adding pelvic floor muscle exercises to standard low-back stabilization exercises improved pain and function in women with low-back pain more than doing the same exercises without involving the pelvic floor muscles.[5]
So what does this mean?
If you’re one of the millions of people experiencing back pain, this is for you! If you’re already working with a healthcare professional and aren’t getting the resolution you hoped for, it might be worth checking in with a pelvic physiotherapist to explore what role your pelvic floor may be playing. Your pelvic physio will work with you as a whole person, exploring how your symptoms fit into your lifestyle, uncovering your goals for treatment, and identifying how best to get you to your goals.
And if you haven’t yet considered seeing someone for that nagging, sometimes-twinges-when-you-move-the-wrong-way back of yours, here’s your invitation! We’d love to give you (and your back) the care you deserve, and get you feeling more confident in your body.
Book now!
References
- Beaudet N, Courteau J, Sarret P, Vanasse A. Prevalence of claims-based recurrent low back pain in a Canadian population: a secondary analysis of an administrative database. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2013;14:151. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-14-151
- Welk B, Baverstock R. Is there a link between back pain and urinary symptoms? Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39(2):523-532. doi:10.1002/nau.24269
- Eliasson K, Elfving B, Nordgren B, Mattsson E. Urinary incontinence in women with low back pain. Man Ther. 2008;13(3):206-212. doi:10.1016/j.math.2006.12.006
- Dufour S, Vandyken B, Forget MJ, Vandyken C. Association between lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in women: a cross sectional study. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2018;34:47-53. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2017.12.001
- Abdel-aziem AA, Abdelraouf OR, El-Basatiny HMY, Draz AH. The effects of stabilization exercises combined with pelvic floor exercise in women with nonspecific low back pain: a randomized clinical study. J Chiropr Med. 2021;20(4):229-238. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2021.12.008
