Is That Pain Coming From Your Pelvic Floor? A More Common Root Than You Think

A tight pelvic floor could be the source. Learn why—and what to do about it. Scroll down for the video.

Here’s a quiet truth that deserves more air time: the source of your pain might not be where you feel it.

I’ve had more private conversations than I can count with people—men and women—wondering why their back, hip, knee, shoulder, or ankle hurts without a clear reason. The surprise? In many cases, it’s not those joints at all. It’s their pelvic floor.

We tend not to talk about that part of the body. Even the nervous system plays along, rerouting pain signals away from the “private” zone. But pain is information, not shame.

Mobility is non-negotiable.Most people I know—smart, accomplished, well-intentioned people—aren’t doing regular body maintenance. No foam rolling. No massage. No stretching. No mobility work. Just effort. Just tension. Just stress.

And when we don’t move with care, the body compensates. Scar tissue from surgery or childbirth, tight muscles from years of sitting or standing, or high-stress lives with no release—they all find somewhere to settle. And yes, the pelvic floor is a favorite hiding place.

Here’s the hopeful part: this doesn’t have to be your normal.

The new science and smarter therapy say: Pelvic pain is not inevitable. Incontinence is not a guaranteed outcome. You can move with ease again.

A skilled pelvic floor therapist can assess what’s happening, help you release what’s stuck, and bring balance back to the body.

This video from Scary Mommy nails the awkward truth with humor—and I love that. Sometimes laughter gets us closer to honesty.

If you're bent over and don’t know why—if your pain doesn’t quite make sense—consider giving your pelvis the attention it deserves.

That includes you too, men. Mysterious back pain? Persistent tightness in your hips or knees? Don’t count the pelvis out.

Your body is speaking. Are you listening?

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🎧 If this resonates, I invite you to listen to my podcast episode: Crisis Is a Moment. Body Is a Lifetime. We talk about how the body holds what the mind can’t always process—and why that matters.

And for a deeper reflection on what gets buried even deeper—like shame—there’s this conversation: Emotions That Shape Our World: Shame, Bullying, and Mobbing. — Follow me on social media: @deliagrenville on all platforms

Originally published on May 5, 2018. This post has been updated to reflect new insights and resources.