Why Your Mental Health Might Be Causing Physical Symptoms (and What to Do About it)

Imagine Emma — a 28-year-old graphic designer — shifting uncomfortably in her desk chair. A familiar dull ache in her pelvis has flared up again, making it hard to focus on work. This kind of discomfort isn’t new for her — it’s been there for months. And despite trying everything from better posture to more water, nothing really seems to help for very long.

Emma’s story is more common than most people realize. And it highlights the incredibly important two-way connection between your physical bodies and your emotional well-being — especially when it comes to your pelvic health.

What is the pelvic floor, and why does it matter?

Your pelvic floor is the group of muscles at the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles support some of the most vital parts of your body — including your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs — and they help with everything from your bowel and bladder function, to your sexual health and stabilization of your core.

When your pelvic floor isn’t working like it should — whether it’s from childbirth, injury, or even chronic tension — it can lead to symptoms like bladder incontinence, constipation, pelvic pain, or even pelvic organ prolapse. While these pelvic health issues are very real and physical, they’re also deeply connected to what’s happening in the mind.

Understanding the mind-body connection

What Emma is going through isn’t just about the pain in her pelvis — it’s also about how her brain and body are communicating around that pain.

When pain sticks around, your brain starts to treat it like a threat that needs constant attention. This kicks off your body’s stress response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol, which can lead to increased tension, heightened pain sensitivity, and emotional fatigue. Over time, this ongoing stress can take a serious toll on your mental health.

In fact, research shows that people with chronic pelvic pain (like what you might experience with conditions like interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) are more likely to experience mental health impact. One study found that individuals with endometriosis had significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to those without it.

This relationship is bi-directional, so your mental state can also influence how you feel pain. When you're stressed, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed, your pain may feel more intense and harder to manage. This can create a tough cycle: pain impacts your mood, and that mood shift makes the pain even harder to cope with.

The science behind mental health and pelvic floor disorders

This mind-body connection isn’t just a nice idea — it’s backed by growing science. A 2023 study looked at people who have pelvic organ prolapse (POP) after childbirth and found that those with ongoing symptoms experienced higher levels of distress — not just physically, but emotionally and sexually, too.

The longer the symptoms had been around, the more severe the emotional impact. That same study showed that when pelvic health concerns go unaddressed, they can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s well-being. It’s a clear reminder of why taking a whole-person approach to pelvic care matters so much.

And this goes beyond just POP. A 2022 study on gastrointestinal and pelvic health emphasized the need for a broader, more integrative approach to care. It found that for conditions like constipation, IBS, and abdominal pain, treatment plans should also include physical activity, mental health support, and even nutrition.

How pelvic physical therapy addresses both the mind and body

So, what can we actually do about it? That’s where evidence-based treatments like physical therapy come in.

Treating pelvic pain: Physical and psychological approaches

At Origin, we take pelvic health seriously. And we believe that healing isn’t just about the pelvic floor muscles — it’s also about caring for the whole person.

Pelvic physical therapy can make a big difference in how someone like Emma manages her symptoms. Our care doesn’t just focus on the pelvic floor — it also works to calm your nervous system, release physical tension, and create space for emotional healing.

Evidence-based techniques for pelvic floor relief

For someone like Emma, who’s been battling chronic tension and emotional fatigue, these techniques can provide not just relief — but hope. By addressing both the physical discomfort and the mental toll it takes, pelvic PT helps break the cycle of pain and stress, so healing can truly begin.

Here’s what that might look like:

• Hands-on techniques to gently release tight muscles and fascia
• Breathing and relaxation strategies to support nervous system regulation
• Functional movement therapy to help reconnect with your body
• Education and reassurance to build confidence and reduce fear around symptoms

We also take a trauma-informed approach to care, which means we prioritize safety, comfort, and trust every step of the way. For many people, just feeling seen and understood is a big part of the healing process.

Why knowledge and awareness matter for pelvic health recovery

One of the most powerful tools in managing your pelvic health is education.

Research shows that the more people understand about their symptoms, the more likely they are to seek care. A 2023 study out of Hungary found that people who were more informed about pelvic floor disorders — like urinary incontinence or prolapse — were much more likely to reach out for help. And a study on pelvic floor disorders among minority women found that patients were largely unaware of the treatment available to them for pelvic floor disorders, but once they had more information, they were overwhelmingly interested in getting treatment. 

Other research has found that many folks, especially in marginalized communities, simply don’t know treatment is available. But once they do, most are eager to get the care they need.

That’s why sharing stories like Emma’s — and making this information more accessible — is so important. They empower people to ask questions, advocate for themselves, and start healing.

Moving forward with evidence-based research

We’re entering a new era in healthcare — one that truly values the connection between the mind and the body.

The recent launch of the Journal of Physiotherapy and Mental Health reflects this shift. It’s a platform dedicated to research that bridges physical therapy and mental health, and it’s especially relevant for fields like pelvic health, where that connection is so clear.

This kind of interdisciplinary focus gives us hope. It promises a future where people like Emma don’t have to choose between addressing physical pain or emotional well-being — they get support for both.

Take the next step in your pelvic floor recovery journey

If you're dealing with pelvic pain, discomfort, or symptoms that just won’t go away, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Pelvic physical therapy at Origin offers a supportive, research-backed way to care for your body and mind. Whether your symptoms started recently or have been around for a while, it’s never too late to start feeling better. 

If you're ready to understand your symptoms and finally get some relief, we’re here to help — mind and body both. Schedule an evaluation today.