Millions of women are injured during childbirth. You are not alone – and there may be a solution.
While the joys of motherhood can be great, it is not uncommon for women to sustain pelvic injuries, resulting in pelvic adhesions, during childbirth. Unfortunately, while the body generally heals, the effects of these injuries can sometimes be felt for years postpartum, affecting the quality and comfort of a woman’s life.
A study in the journal PLOS ONE reported that a staggering 49% of women studied suffered incontinence or pain a full year postpartum. Another study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, reported that many women have pain with sex 18 months after delivery. Some mothers report moderate to severe pain, burning, or stinging with simple day-to-day tasks; others experience changes in the appearance of the genitals. Any of the above symptoms indicates that the muscles, nerves, or connective tissues at the reproductive organs have been injured and that adhesions have likely formed.
Adhesions are internal scars that form in the soft tissues as the body heals from surgery, infection, or trauma. That also includes trauma to the pelvis caused by childbirth. Learn more about the causes and symptoms of adhesions.
How can these problems be treated?
While pain-relieving medications can deaden all feeling in the area and desensitizing gels can numb the area, these solutions are not what many women (or their partners) want. Physicians generally suggest avoiding surgery to treat adhesions whenever possible, due to the recurrence of adhesions — sometimes worse than before — as the body heals from surgery. Many of our patients have found that non-surgical physical therapy involving specially developed massage techniques can deform or detach adhesions. In doing so, it frees nerves and organs from the adhesive bonds that form after childbirth, increasing function and decreasing or eliminating pain. The Clear Passage® Approach® and Wurn Technique®® are unique in this regard.
How do I know if this treatment is for me?
If you (or someone you know) has experienced any of the following, this treatment may be appropriate for you.
Childbirth-related causes of adhesions
- C-Section – This common surgery to remove the baby from the womb cuts through a number of layers, from your skin to the deepest part of your reproductive structures. In most cases, the body heals and the pain from the surgery subsides in a few weeks. But in some cases, the adhesions attach to pain-sensitive areas, causing pain with intercourse, sitting, walking, or certain movements.
- Episiotomy or perineum tear – Occurring during some vaginal births, symptoms of tearing can range from unnoticeable to extremely painful. Healing from the tissue damage creates scar tissue that can cause vaginal burning or stinging for some women and deeper pain for others.
- Trauma to the tailbone (coccyx) – Whether pushed out of normal alignment by childbirth or a fall or pulled out of alignment by surgery, infection, or endometriosis, a forward-flexed tailbone can cause a variety of symptoms. These include pain with deep penetration – feeling like your partner is hitting something during intercourse. Adhesions can hold the tailbone forward, causing deep penetration pain, constipation (as it ‘closes the door’ during bowel movements), and even headaches.
What if my symptoms are not that extreme?
Even minor pain or symptoms may be telling of larger underlying problems and should be examined. Small aches and pains that persist or recur have the potential to grow or cause more serious complications later in life. Unfortunately, legitimate symptoms or pain are sometimes ignored due to the aura of taboo that tends to surround discussion of gynecologic health. A patient may feel awkward discussing something as personal as intercourse pain or feel ashamed that they couldn’t “bounce right back” after giving birth, the way a friend or relative might have.
If you or a woman you know has experienced prolonged pain as a direct effect of a childbirth injury, know that you are not alone and do not need to accept that long-term discomfort is normal. There is an explanation for all pain. It is important to find a diagnosis – the root cause of your symptoms. When you do, you may find that a natural, non-invasive treatment is an appropriate solution.
How do I learn more?
Clear Passage® has helped many patients overcome ongoing pain or dysfunction caused by scar tissue or adhesions. Our therapists use the Clear Passage® Approach and Wurn Technique®, applying pressure and shearing to detach the crosslinks that adhesions are made of. We invite you to schedule a phone consult with one of our certified therapists, at no cost to you, and learn if our treatment is a fit for your needs and goals. Contact us via this online form or by calling 1-352-336-1433.
References:
“If the information in this article sounds like it may relate to what you’re experiencing, the team at Clear Passage® Physical Therapy is here to help. Many people living with this condition simply want to know if there is a natural treatment option without drugs or surgery that could work for them. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. You can request more information to speak with a knowledgeable team member who will review your situation and help you understand whether this specialized therapy may be a good fit. If you’re ready to move forward, you can also apply for therapy so the clinical staff can carefully review your health history and determine the best path toward relief. Taking a few minutes to reach out could be the first step toward getting answers—and possibly getting your life back.”