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Pelvic health for women
Pelvic floor related hip and low back pain in Shirley, MA
The short answer
The pelvic floor sits at the center of your hips, low back and core, so when it is weak, tight or not coordinating well, hip, low back and sacroiliac pain can follow. This is especially common during pregnancy, after childbirth and around menopause. When regular back or hip treatment has not fully worked, pelvic floor therapy is often the missing piece.
On this page
How the pelvic floor can cause hip and back pain
The pelvic floor works with your deep abs, back muscles, diaphragm and hips as one team. When one part is off, the others pick up the slack. These are the patterns we see most.
- A pelvic floor that is too tight
- Muscles that are always clenched can refer pain into the hips, tailbone, low back and groin.
- A weak or stretched pelvic floor
- After pregnancy or with age, less support from the pelvic floor means the back and hips work harder.
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Pain on one side at the back of the pelvis, often worse with stairs, rolling in bed or standing on one leg.
- Pregnancy and postpartum
- Hormones, posture changes and delivery all change how the pelvis is supported.
- Back or hip pain that has not responded
- If standard back or hip treatment helped only partway, the pelvic floor may be part of the picture.
When to get it checked
Get checked if hip, low back, tailbone or sacroiliac pain is not improving, if it comes with leaks, pelvic heaviness or pain with intimacy, or if it started during pregnancy or after delivery. See a doctor soon if you have fever, unexplained weight loss, or pain that is worse at night and not eased by rest. Go to the emergency room right away if you have new numbness in the groin or inner thighs, lose control of your bladder or bowels, or have new leg weakness.
What you can do at home right now
These are safe starting points for most people. They are not a replacement for a proper evaluation.
- Breathe low and wide
- Slow breaths that let your ribs and belly expand help the pelvic floor relax and move.
- Keep your knees together when rolling
- Rolling in bed or getting out of the car with your knees together is kinder to a sore pelvis.
- Try gentle hip mobility
- Easy moves like a figure 4 stretch or a butterfly stretch can ease a tight pelvic floor and hips.
How we treat pelvic floor related hip and back pain
Your pelvic health therapist is with you for the whole appointment, start to finish, in a private room. We look at your back, hips, core and pelvic floor together, then build a plan around your goals.
01
Relieve
Hands on care, breathing and positions that calm pain and help tight muscles let go.
02
Rebuild
Coordination and strength for the pelvic floor, core and hips so your back and hips get the support they need.
03
Perform
Back to walking, workouts, holding and carrying your kids and sleeping comfortably. When you are ready, our personal trainers keep you going.
04
Thrive
Stay strong through every season of life, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond, with a team that already knows your story.
Thrive is not a finish line. When life brings something new, the loop starts again with the same team.
Common exercises for pelvic floor related hip and low back pain
These are a few of the exercises our team often uses for pelvic floor related hip and low back pain. Tap one to watch.
Please read first. These are not right for everyone. If a move brings on sharp pain, numbness or tingling, stop and talk to one of our pelvic health therapists before you keep going.
Learn from our team
Short, free videos from our clinicians on questions we hear about pelvic floor related hip and low back pain all the time.
Read more from our team
Blog posts and newsletter tips from our clinicians that go with pelvic floor related hip and low back pain.
- BlogThe Complete Guide to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Shirley MA: What It Helps and What to ExpectOct 29, 2025
- BlogWhat Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, and Why Every Woman Should Know About ItMay 2, 2025
- Exercise of the week360 BreathingSep 11, 2026
- Exercise of the weekSide Plank Hip AbductionMay 8, 2026
Services that help
Pelvic Health and TherapyPhysical TherapyPersonal TrainingVirtual Therapy and TrainingTalk to a pelvic health therapist
A free call to tell us what is going on and see if we are the right fit.
Common questions about pelvic floor related hip and low back pain
Can the pelvic floor cause low back or hip pain?
Yes. The pelvic floor is part of the team that supports your spine and hips. When it is weak, tight or not coordinating well, low back, hip, tailbone and sacroiliac pain can follow.
How do I know if my back pain is related to my pelvic floor?
Clues include back or hip pain that has not improved with regular treatment, pain that started during pregnancy or after delivery, or pain that comes with leaks, pelvic heaviness or pain with intimacy. A pelvic health therapist can check.
Is pelvic floor therapy always internal?
No. Many visits focus on breathing, movement, strength and hands on care outside the pelvis. Anything internal is always explained first and only done with your permission.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with us. Most of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services. We go over everything in the discovery meeting.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Everyone is different, so the best next step is an evaluation with one of our pelvic health therapists.
Visit us
Serving 22+ nearby towns and beyond
2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464. Monday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.