8 questions all women with low back and hip pain should be asking!

ATTENTION all women with lower back and hip pain! Are your physiotherapists asking you the following eight questions? If not, share this information with them!

• Have you ever been pregnant or given birth? Recent or otherwise.
• Do you ever leak urine with coughing, running, sneezing, laughing or lifting?
• Do you experience increased bladder urgency, or feel the need to urinate more than 8x/day?
• Do you have difficulty initiating your urine stream or do you have to strain to urinate?
• Do you ever experience pain with sexual activity, or does your lower back or hip pain worsen with sex?
• Do you struggle with constipation? (bowel movements <3x /week, needing to push/strain)
• Have you ever fallen on your tailbone or experience pain in your tailbone while sitting?
• Have you ever had abdominal or pelvic surgery? For example: hysterectomy, surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse or to resolve incontinence

These question may seem unrelated to your current symptoms, but your answers to these questions can provide information about how your pelvic floor may be involved in your symptoms. If it turns out your pelvic floor might be playing a role in your pain, your therapist can help you reach your goals faster!

Many common manual therapy treatments and exercises prescribed for lower back and hip pain will have an impact on your pelvic floor. Being aware of a potential issue will help your physiotherapist address these concerns! Be sure to share this information with your therapist and let them know if any changes occur throughout your treatment.