On Friday 12/19/2014 Dr. Oz did a 5 minute bit on Fibromyalgia and Pelvic Pain. These are good topics to combine, as they often overlap.
Pelvic pain is a common issue with fibromyalgia and an issue I’ve dealt with along with fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, I feel like combining them the way that the Dr. Oz show did minimized them both issues. Causing too much info to be sped through in too short of a time.
The first question that was addressed was “Is Fibromyalgia a sleep disorder?”
The answer: No, it’s believed to be caused by abnormal pain processing.
Related: Are sleep issues at the root of fibromyalgia symptoms?
Next, he asked about the recent study where women were injected with lidocaine to see if it would reduce Fibromyalgia pain. Women who received the injections reported decreased pain.
Injections were in the shoulder, above the buttocks and just below. We still need more studies and more data to determine if this is a good treatment for Fibromyalgia.
Related: Intravenous Lidocaine for Chronic Pain
He quickly moved on to chronic pelvic pain. This is pain in the lower abdomen, butt, hip, lower back, that has continued for six months or more.
Many feel cramping, burning, pain during urination, or pain during sex. Initially, this type of pain was thought to be gynological, but it may be pain from muscles, ligaments, or bones. It’s commonly caused by problems in the pelvic floor muscles. This (like fibromyalgia) is difficult to diagnose, because doctors are not properly trained in this area, and there are no good tests.
Related: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Fibromyalgia
Dr. Oz discussed a study regarding brain imaging of pelvic pain patients that shows that the pain is real; while they may not be able to see the source of the problem via MRI’s of the pelvic area, they can see in the brain MRIs that the pain really is there.
Related: Chronic Pain is Visible on Imaging
Latest research shows that it’s not just organ-based pain. Rather the pain has to do with nervous system, and pelvic floor muscles (kegal muscles). This area is hard to access / treat, and the best option is usually through well-trained physical therapists.
Pelvic floor PT is performed by highly trained (usually female) physical therapists who work inside the female to stretch the muscles and help the patient learn how to relax and retrain the muscles to reduce pain. The sooner you see a doctor for this the better, and the easier it will be for them to diagnose you and treat you.
Related: Fibromyalgia, Pelvic Pain & Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
I have experience with chronic pelvic pain and have experienced pelvic floor physical therapy. I still have issues with this pain and the PT didn’t really help me (in fact, it made it worse). This may have been because my pain was caused by different issues (including endometriosis) or possibly because of the type of physical therapy I received.
There are different types of pelvic PT, some do manual work, others use internal electric devices. Regardless of my experiences, I think it’s worth trying pelvic floor PT if you are having pelvic pain or urinary incontinence.
Watch the Dr. Oz episode by clicking the image below
Watch the Dr. Oz on Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pelvic Pain
(you can scroll through past Oprah to the section on Fibromyalgia & Pelvic Pain)
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Paula says
I had months of 2x a week and weekly Lidocaine tender point injections and other areas. Nothing. NOTHING. I kept doing it hoping. Nothing. NOTHING. No relief, none, nope. No.
Barbara Kivowitz says
Thanks so much for all these posts on pelvic pain. They are treasures. I started working with a PT who specializes in pelvic floor rehab and it has made a huge difference. And there is wide variety in what this kind of therapy means. Like with any specialist – often good just isn’t good enough. You have to keep searching until you find the one that you experience as great.
Love your blog!
Julie says
Thank you so much Barbara! You are right it seems like everyone I’ve talked to has had a different experience with this type of therapy, as each PT is different in their approach. I love your blog (and your book) as well, and it gives me a thrill to know that you enjoy mine also.