Pelvic Floor Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction

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This document is a summary of a presentation on pelvic floor myofascial pain and dysfunction given by Melanie Meister, MD, MSCI, an Assistant Professor of Urogynecology at the University of Kansas. The presentation was part of the educational program by the American Urogynecologic Society. The objectives of the presentation were to describe the pathophysiology and development of myofascial dysfunction and pain within the pelvic floor muscles, discuss the association between pelvic floor myofascial pain and pelvic floor symptoms including lower urinary tract symptoms and chronic pelvic pain, and describe treatment strategies to address pelvic floor myofascial pain and associated symptoms.<br /><br />The presentation discussed the high prevalence of myofascial pain, with 30-85% of individuals being affected. It highlighted the role of trigger points, which are localized areas of tenderness within taut muscle bands that can cause pain and referral patterns. Myofascial pain can lead to increased fatiguability, stiffness, and restricted range of motion in affected muscles. The presentation also discussed the challenges in diagnosing pelvic floor myofascial pain, as there are inconsistent terminology and limited awareness among healthcare professionals.<br /><br />The presentation discussed the association between pelvic floor myofascial pain and various symptoms, including pelvic organ prolapse, lower urinary tract symptoms, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, and chronic pelvic pain. It emphasized the importance of pelvic floor physical therapy as the first-line treatment, with high likelihood of benefit and improvement in associated symptoms. Other treatment options mentioned include pharmacotherapy, dry needling, trigger point injections, and pelvic floor botulinum toxin injections. The presentation also mentioned some emerging therapies like photobiomodulation therapy and radiofrequency modulation therapy.<br /><br />In summary, the presentation highlighted the significance of pelvic floor myofascial pain and its association with various pelvic floor symptoms. It underscored the importance of pelvic floor physical therapy as a primary treatment modality. The presentation provided an overview of various treatment options and emphasized the need for further research and standardization in the field.

Keywords

Pelvic floor myofascial pain

Pelvic floor dysfunction

Myofascial pain

Trigger points

Pelvic floor symptoms

Lower urinary tract symptoms

Chronic pelvic pain

Pelvic organ prolapse

Physical therapy treatment

Treatment strategies