Breathing Matters > Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain is an extremely common condtion but extraordinarily complex and poorly understood. Associated conditions include:

Urinary stress incontinence - difficulty in controlling urination with leakage
Interstitial cystitis patients with this condition have to pass urine frequently and there is pain and discomfort on urination
Vulvodynia - pain in the genital region
Dyspareunia - pain on sexual intercourse

Many of these conditions have long been associated with low back pain which is strongly linked to a dysfunctional breathing pattern. There is a clear connection between respiratory function, pelvic floor function and the stability of the sacroiliac joints (the joints that connect the spine to the pelvis). If the pelvic floor muscles are dysfunctional lower back support will be compromised. This in turn leads to increased activity of the abdominal muscles particularly muscles called external oblique. The pelvic floor muscles actively contribute to the stability of the low back and the pelvis as well as urinary and fecal continence.

The evidence suggest that there is a complex interrelationship between the spine, the sacroiliac joints, the diaphragm and a variety of pelvic floor problems but that in some patients working on diaphragmatic breathing will assist in pelvic pain.

Further Reading
Hodges PW, Sapsford R, Pengel LHM. Postural and respiratory function of the pelvic floor muscles. Neurourol Urodynam 2007; 26: 362-371.
Chaitow L. Chronic pelvic pain: pelvic floor problems: sacroiliac dysfunction and the trigger point connection. J Bodywork Movement Ther 2007: 11: 327-339.