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Pelvic Floor Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction

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Musculoskeletal Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum

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Abstract

Pelvic floor myofascial pain and dysfunction are common, but treatable, musculoskeletal conditions during and after pregnancy. Pregnancy-related anatomic and hormonal changes may have effects on biomechanical patterns of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) causing changes in contraction, relaxation, and muscle strength leading to myofascial pain. Pelvic floor myofascial pain is characterized by muscular pain, taut bands, and trigger points that cause pain referral with pressure, usually due to underlying overuse or weakness. Pelvic floor myofascial dysfunction refers to abnormal muscle activation patterns. Understanding the anatomic relationship of the PFM with the pelvic girdle, spine, and hips will aid the rehabilitation provider in diagnosis, management, and appropriate referrals. Pelvic floor myofascial pain and dysfunction are diagnosed mainly by clinical examination of the PFM by specialists in women’s health rehabilitation. The treatment consists of pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, bracing, and judicious use of injection therapy, as well as consideration of complementary treatment options. This chapter will focus on pelvic floor myofascial pain and dysfunction, discuss the complex relationship with dyspareunia, and explain the rehabilitation approach to treating these common disorders.

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Disclosures

Dr. Eickmeyer: This publication was supported by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant Number 8UL1TR000055. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA

    Sarah M. Eickmeyer MD

  2. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Dana Seslija MD

Authors
  1. Sarah M. Eickmeyer MD
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  2. Dana Seslija MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah M. Eickmeyer MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Loyola University, Maywood, Illinois, USA

    Colleen M. Fitzgerald

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas, USA

    Neil A. Segal

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Eickmeyer, S.M., Seslija, D. (2015). Pelvic Floor Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. In: Fitzgerald, C., Segal, N. (eds) Musculoskeletal Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14319-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14319-4_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-14318-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-14319-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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