Condition · Women's Health
Painful Intercourse
How Myofascial Release addresses it, and what to expect.
Painful intercourse, medically known as dyspareunia, refers to persistent pain or discomfort during sexual activity. This condition may occur before, during, or after sexual intercourse. Painful intercourse can have various causes, and it’s important to identify and address the underlying factors.
Why fascia is involved
A guarded pelvic floor cannot relax on demand.
Comfortable intercourse depends on a pelvic floor that can lengthen and let go. When the muscles and fascia of the pelvic floor are restricted, from childbirth, surgery, infection, injury, hormonal changes or stress, they stay partly contracted, and the pressure on tissues and nerves turns intimacy into pain. Restrictions in the hips, tailbone and abdomen frequently add to the pattern.
Myofascial Release therapists trained in pelvic health work gently, externally and with consent, releasing the pelvic floor, hips, tailbone and abdomen so the tissue can relax and lengthen again. Progress is paced to the person, and many find that pain gives way to comfort as the pelvic floor learns to let go.
MFR Resource
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Every therapist in the Directory is trained in the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach®.