Pelvic Pain Physical Therapy in San Diego
Pain down there isn't something you should just push through.
Maybe it started after having a baby. Maybe it's been there as long as you can remember. Maybe it showed up out of nowhere and no one can tell you why.
Pelvic pain is one of the most frustrating things to deal with — partly because it's invisible, partly because so many women are told "everything looks fine" when it clearly doesn't feel fine.
If you're dealing with pain during sex, pain with sitting, pain with exercise, or a constant ache in your pelvis — pelvic floor physical therapy can help. I'm Dr. Ashlee Gendron, and I treat pelvic pain at its source, not just the symptoms.
Pelvic Pain Conditions
Pelvic pain has many possible causes, and often more than one thing is going on at the same time. Here's what I see regularly:
Pain During Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Pain with penetration, deep pain during sex, or pain that lingers afterward. This is one of the most common reasons women come to see me — and one of the most treatable.
Endometriosis-Related Pain
Endo can cause chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, and pain with intercourse. Pelvic floor therapy doesn't treat endo itself, but it addresses the muscle tension, scar tissue, and pain patterns that develop because of it.
Painful Periods
Severe cramping that goes beyond normal period discomfort. When the pelvic floor muscles are chronically tight, they can amplify menstrual pain.
Painful Bladder Syndrome / Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
Bladder pressure, urgency, and pain that isn't caused by an infection. Pelvic floor therapy is a core part of IC management.
Vulvodynia and Vestibulodynia
Chronic burning, stinging, or irritation at the vaginal opening or vulva. Often the pelvic floor muscles are involved.
Constipation and Bowel Pain
Difficulty with bowel movements, straining, or pain with sitting. The pelvic floor controls the opening and closing of the bowel, and when those muscles aren't working right, it affects everything.
Post-Surgical Pelvic Pain
Pain after hysterectomy, C-section, endometriosis surgery, or other pelvic procedures. Scar tissue and muscle guarding can persist long after the incision heals.
Lower Back and Hip Pain
Sometimes "hip pain" or "back pain" is actually coming from the pelvic floor. I assess the connection between your pelvis, hips, and core to find the real source.
The Whole Picture, Not Just the Symptom
Pelvic pain is almost never just one thing. Your pelvic floor muscles, your nervous system, your hips, your core, your breathing — they all play a role. That's why I look at the whole picture, not just the area that hurts.
Comprehensive Assessment
90 minutes, one-on-one. I evaluate your pelvic floor (internal and external, with your consent), your posture, core, hips, and breathing. I listen to your full story — when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques including myofascial release, trigger point release, scar mobilization, cupping, and joint mobilization. For many pelvic pain patients, the pelvic floor muscles are too tight — the goal is to release tension, not add more.
Nervous System Calming
Chronic pain involves the nervous system. I incorporate strategies to help your body feel safe again — breathwork, grounding techniques, and gradual exposure to movements that feel threatening.
Strengthening (When Appropriate)
Once the pain is under better control, we build strength and stability so the pain doesn't come back. This isn't about jumping into exercises on day one — it's about timing it right.
Home Program
Every session, you leave with specific things to work on between visits. Stretches, breathing exercises, self-release techniques — things you can do at home that actually help.
What Makes My Approach Different
Minute Sessions
Pelvic pain takes time to unpack. Your sessions give you my full, undivided attention.
Whole-Body Treatment
Pelvic pain rarely exists in isolation. I look at how your core, hips, breathing, and nervous system are contributing.
At Your Pace
If you're not ready for an internal exam, we don't do one. If certain movements are painful, we modify. You're always in control.
I Come to You
For many pelvic pain patients, being in a comfortable environment makes a real difference. Home visits are available throughout North County.
You Deserve Answers
Pelvic pain can feel isolating. You might have seen multiple doctors, had normal test results, and still be in pain. That doesn't mean the pain isn't real — it means the right assessment hasn't been done yet.
Pelvic floor physical therapy looks at what imaging and blood work can't see: how your muscles are functioning, where the tension is, and what's driving the pain cycle. For many women, this is the missing piece.
Transparent Pricing
Concierge Home Visits
Initial Evaluation
90 minutes
$200
Follow-Up Session
60 minutes
$185
In-Clinic
Initial Evaluation
90 minutes
$150
Follow-Up Session
60 minutes
$125
No referral needed in California. Superbills provided for PPO insurance reimbursement.
Pelvic Pain FAQ
Can pelvic floor therapy help with pain during sex?
Yes. Pain during sex is one of the most common — and most treatable — reasons women come to see me. It's often caused by tight pelvic floor muscles, scar tissue, or a nervous system that's stuck in protection mode. Pelvic floor therapy addresses all of these.
My doctor says everything looks normal, but I'm still in pain. Can you help?
This is something I hear all the time. Normal imaging and lab work don't rule out pelvic floor dysfunction. An internal and external pelvic floor assessment looks at muscle tension, trigger points, and coordination — things that standard medical tests don't evaluate.
Do I need an internal exam for pelvic pain treatment?
An internal exam gives me the most complete picture, but it's never required. If you're not comfortable or not ready, I can still evaluate and treat you effectively with external techniques. We go at your pace.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on how long you've had the pain and what's causing it. Some women see meaningful improvement in 4-6 sessions. Chronic pain that's been present for years may take longer. I'll give you honest expectations after your first visit.
Ready to Find Out What's Really Going On?
Living with pelvic pain is exhausting. Start with a free 15-minute phone call. Tell me what you're dealing with, and I'll tell you if I can help.