Hidden Roots of Chronic Pain: What if It’s Not Just your Hip or Low Back?

At Empowered Physical Therapy, we believe in treating the whole person – not just the symptoms. That means we’re not afraid to dig a little deeper when something doesn’t quite add up.

Recently, I worked with a patient who had been dealing with persistent low back and hip pain for months. She had increased her activity level over the past year, and while we made some progress with traditional orthopedic treatment, there was always a lingering discomfort that didn’t fully resolve – no matter how strategic we got with movement, strength, or mobility work.

And that’s when I started asking more questions.

Questions about bladder habits, core engagement, pressure management…even things like pain with sitting or changes during certain phases of her cycle. Nothing screamed pelvic floor dysfunction. In fact, she didn’t have the classic symptoms we’re often trained to look for. But there were just enough subtle clues to make me curious.

So, we did a pelvic floor exam. And there it was.

The root of her symptoms was hiding in plain sight: a pelvic floor that wasn’t coordinating well with the rest of her system. Once we started treating the actual source of the problem, instead of  just chasing symptoms, things began to click. Her body moved better. Her pain became more manageable. And she felt more in control of her health.

Why This Matters for YOU

If you’ve been dealing with nagging hip, low back, or even knee pain – and traditional treatments haven’t quite worked – it’s worth asking: Could this be coming from my pelvic floor?

Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t always show up the way people expect. It's not just leaking or prolapse. It can present as:

• Unrelenting hip tightness or pain that doesn’t improve with stretching, massage, or manual therapy



• Heaviness or pressure in the pelvic floor region 



• Tailbone pain or pain when sitting too long 



• Low back pain that doesn’t quite follow a pattern



• Knee pain that doesn't respond to typical treatment



• Core instability that persists even with targeted exercise



• A sense that "something is off"…even when you're doing all the right things



You Deserve a Comprehensive Team 

Pelvic floor dysfunction often flies under the radar – especially for those who are active, high-functioning, and don’t fit the typical profile. But that doesn’t mean it’s not playing a major role in how your body feels.

At Empowered, we’re committed to looking at the whole system – not just one joint, one symptom, or one diagnosis. And sometimes, that means pulling back the curtain on a part of the body that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.

If you’ve hit a plateau in your recovery or are dealing with pain that just doesn’t make sense, don’t settle. You deserve answers — and a clear path forward.

That’s the power of having a collaborative, comprehensive team. Here at Empowered, we work closely together to look at the whole picture. As the pelvic floor PT on staff, I’ve had the opportunity to partner with my colleagues to dig a little deeper when symptoms suggest something beyond the surface. Together, we’re committed to helping you uncover the why behind your pain and guide you every step of the way toward lasting relief.

Let’s find the root.


Let’s treat what’s really going on.


Let’s get you back to feeling empowered in your movement again.