Pelvic Pain and Pain with Intercourse

Pelvic pain is a common issue, yet it often goes unspoken. Many people suffer in silence, feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn for help.

The pelvis is a complex structure with many organs, muscles, and tissues doing many jobs, and often one structure can affect several different areas. For example, an issue in the bowel might cause symptoms in the bladder or contribute to sexual issues. This can present a myriad of symptoms that can be frustrating to understand and diagnose.

Many times patients arrive at our clinic after having seen multiple practitioners feeling confused, frustrated, dismissed, and unsure of success. The issues are often coloured with layers of embarrassment, anxiety, and stigma.

At Archstone you can expect our compassionate professionals to work together with you, to listen to your story, do an in depth assessment, and take a whole body approach to getting to the root cause.

Common conditions we treat are:

  • Endometriosis

  • Painful intercourse

  • Chronic SI or piriformis pain

  • Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis

  • Frequent UTI’s/ painful urination

  • Vaginal pain, vulvodynia, vestibulodynia

  • Pudendal neuralgia/ PGAD

image of a middle aged couple of hikers walk through the forest in rainy weather. They happily communicate during their walk.

Do you have more questions? Not sure if we can help?

Call the clinic to book a free 15 minute discovery call with one of our health professionals.

  • Our therapists do not require a referral to assess or treat you. However, some insurance companies require a physician or nurse practitioner referral for reimbursement.

    It's best to check with your insurance provider to understand their specific requirements.

    Our front desk staff are happy to help answer any questions regarding your insurance coverage.

  • We can bill most insurance companies directly for your physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture treatments. Counselling and Dietitian services vary depending on your plan. Most insurance companies, unfortunately, do not allow direct billing for Speech Therapy.

    Your insurance company protects your privacy, and as a result, we are not able to access information about your coverage. You should speak to your company about the details of your plan, as every insurance plan/policy is unique and may have maximums per treatment and/or calendar year.

    Our front desk staff would be happy to assist you with any questions regarding your insurance coverage for our services.

  • At Archstone, we prioritize your comfort and privacy. We offer private treatment rooms in a quiet, respectful, and confidential setting.

    Our one-on-one sessions focus on your entire body, ensuring personalized care.

    Your scheduled time is dedicated solely to you, without sharing your therapist with other patients. This approach aligns with our commitment to providing individualized, comprehensive care in a supportive environment.

  • We believe in a whole body assessment to find the root cause. Pelvic symptoms can come from issues anywhere from top to toe so we use our usual physio skills to assess and treat the whole body, establishing the cause of your symptoms as well as treating them directly.

    Internal pelvic floor exams can be useful as it means we can assess your pelvic floor strength and ability to relax, assess you for any prolapse, your tissue integrity, and help give you feedback on how to exercise these muscles as well as do manual release if needed.

    However, internal exams are NOT required and you will never be pressured to have an exam or any assessment or treatment you are not comfortable with. Check out our what to expect letter for more information on what an initial appointment might look like.

How Can We Help?

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Pelvic health physical therapists play an important role in treating complex pelvic pain. Our physios will use a whole-body approach that considers the blend of physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We approach each individual's journey with an openess and compassion, understanding that pelvic pain has lots of layers and complexity.

You can expect adequate time for a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatments. We will address underlying factors contributing to pelvic pain, such as muscle imbalances, nerve sensitization, and emotional stressors and collaborate with other professionals involved in your care. Partners/spouses are always welcome to attend any session.

Massage Therapy and Acupuncture

Massage therapy can play a valuable role in managing pelvic pain by addressing muscular tension, improving blood flow, and promoting relaxation in the pelvic area.

Therapeutic massage techniques can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and release trigger points, providing relief for individuals with pelvic pain conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, and pelvic girdle pain. You may also find combining massage therapy with acupuncture can bring relief for your symptoms.

Additionally, massage therapy and acupuncture can help improve mobility, enhance mood, and support overall well-being, contributing to a comprehensive approach to managing pelvic pain.

Registered Dietitian

Our Dietitian, Sarah, can help support individuals with complex pelvic pain by addressing nutritional factors that can influence pain and overall well-being. Using an organized, structured approach she can work with you to identify triggers and develop personalized nutrition plans that may help reduce inflammation, support food sensitivities, allergies and immune function, and promote gut health—all of which can impact pelvic pain.

She can also provide guidance on dietary strategies to manage conditions like endometriosis, IBS, and Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis, considering your unique needs and preferences. Sarah will help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan that aims to improve your quality of life and reduce the impact of pelvic pain.

Licensed Counselling Therapist

Complex pelvic pain often has impacts on all facets of our life and relationships. Counselling therapy is helpful in addressing pelvic pain, particularly when it involves emotional and psychological factors.

Our counselling therapists provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore and process your emotions, thoughts, and concerns related to pelvic pain.

They can offer coping strategies, stress management techniques, and tools to improve emotional resilience and well-being. Counselling therapy can also address issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties that may be intertwined with pelvic pain, empowering you to better manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

If pelvic pain is impacting your relationship, we also offer couples counselling.

Quality Products to Support You

We understand that finding specialty products can be challenging. That's why we offer a curated selection of high-quality products at competitive prices, including premium lubricants for more pleasurable sex, soothing vaginal moisturizers, and vaginal dilators and pelvic wands.

Stop into the clinic and shop with confidence knowing you have access to expert advice to help you choose the right solutions tailored to your needs.