By Dr. Maria Villarini, PT, DPT, CKTP, CYI
How many times have you said to yourself or to someone else, “I just can’t do that”. There may be a time in your life when you decide that the best action to take regarding Pelvic or Lower Back pain is to take no action at all. You decide to lay in bed, take pain medication, and wait for things to get better. This is when you begin to let pain limit your life. Whether you are young or old, active or sedentary, on a high school sports team or a parent on the sideline, a professional bodybuilder or a computer analyst, there may be a time in your life when the pain you experience around your Pelvic or Lower Back region limits your level of activity and limits your life. You may wonder why it is that you're experiencing severe and sharp lower back pain when you try to lift weights off of the gym floor, lift a grocery bag, get out of a car, or walk up/down stairs. You may be envious of the parent who's playing with their child in the park because you know that running would be an impossible task at the moment since there is severe pain with just taking a step. Or you may be the person that has started to make changes or excuses to get through a day. For example, you may stay at the bottom of the steps at a busy subway station waiting for the crowd to pass so that you can slowly walk up the stairs one step at a time because that's the only way to quiet your Pelvic or back pain.
If you find yourself in one of these categories, or in a category that you have made up just for yourself, you are not alone. When you are experiencing discomfort or pain you are sure to seek help and look for answers. Your doctor may send you to see a specialist in back pain. After a battery of exams, tests, and medication you could find yourself with continued pain. The reason for this is that you haven’t had your problem evaluated and treated correctly. An evaluation done by a Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Specialist can determine whether or not you are being affected by muscle, joints, or the mechanics of the pelvis on the spine. Only after a thorough evaluation will it be possible to properly proceed with treatment without the need for invasive interventions such as injections or surgery.
Here is what you should know:
The pelvic girdle is a ring like structure. It’s located in the lower part of the trunk connecting the axial skeleton (skull and spine) to the lower limbs. The bony Pelvis consists of two hip bones, the sacrum, and coccyx (tail bone).
The main function of the pelvis is to:
Transfer weight- from the upper part of the skeleton to the lower part of the skeleton
Provide attachment- for a number of muscles and ligaments in movement
Contain and protect- the abdominopelvic and pelvic viscera (organs)
Due to the location of the pelvis and its important functions, an injury or dysfunction in that area could result in severe pain along the Pelvic or Lower Back region that limits function. If you have found yourself limited by pain that is unresolved you should speak to a specialist in Rehabilitation of that region of the body. Rest assured that noninvasive treatment can help to reduce pain, restore function, and maintain the quality of life you desire in order to go back to living life without limits.
To further discuss these concerns schedule an appointment to be seen by a Pelvic Floor Rehab Specialist. Contact a specialist at Inner Strength Physical Therapy at (914) 505 6556 or visit www.innerstrengthpt.org to discuss concerns or schedule an appointment.
Home services and Spanish speaking therapist are available
Dr. Maria Villarini is a licensed Physical Therapist specialized in Pelvic Rehabilitation of dysfunctions resulting from the Pelvis and Pelvic Floor (Bowel, Bladder and Sexual dysfunction) as well as performance optimization for athletes. Dr. Villarini has helped to heal, educate, and empower men and women of various dysfunctions with the emphasis of a holistic approach and mind-body connection. Her education and experience as a classically trained dancer, marathon runner, weight lifter, and yoga instructor help her to bridge the gap between Sports Rehabilitation and Pelvic Rehabilitation to find the “Missing Link” and allow others to Live Life Without Limits. She continues to embrace her mission to Reduce The Time Of Suffering by educating patients, the health and wellness community, colleges, and doctors on available noninvasive and effective physical therapy treatments for these problems.