Your sex life is in a slump. There may be a large variety of reasons for this, but at the end of the day you’re wondering if professional intervention is required and have come online to ask; Do I need a sex therapist? Interestingly, on many occasions a physiotherapist can be what the love (err…libido) doctor ordered. Confused? Read ahead to learn more.
Why a Physiotherapist Can be an Alternative (or Supplement) to Needing a Sex Therapist to Improve Intimacy Between You and Your Partner
When Pain / Discomfort is Ruining Your Sex Life
Do you think you need to see a sex therapist because you’re experiencing pain and/or discomfort when engaged in coitus? If so, a sex therapist is not who you need to consult with. The pain and discomfort you’re feeling (women) is likely due to pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). It’s common in women who have experienced childbirth, but can also be evident in women who have not. Sex therapists are not trained nor qualified to treat PFD, whereas a physiotherapist is.
There are other reasons for pain/discomfort beyond PFD. Persistent and reoccurring pain before, during, and/or after sexual intercourse is known as Dyspareunia. As with PFD, Dyspareunia may be caused from child birth, but also post surgical conditions, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and scar adhesions. It’s important to note that Dyspareunia is not exclusive to women. Both genders may experience it due to direct and indirect causations, including (but not exclusive to) chronic stress, depression, anxiety, and sexual or physical abuse. While the same therapies applied to treat typical PFD can be employed for Dyspareunia (women), physiotherapy can even ease pelvic area pain caused by emotional stress and anxiety that is related to the pain and discomfort (for both genders). In this scenario, physiotherapy can be an alternative, or supplement, to seeing a sex therapist.
Lastly (on the pain/discomfort topic) physiotherapy is logically the solution to poor sex that is the result of other musculoskeletal issues, be it lower back pain, hip pain, and more.
View more on the connection between physiotherapy and sexuality.
Assistance with Additional Emotional and Mental Health Concerns
We addressed how physiotherapy interventions can assist with the emotional stress and anxiety above. However, there is another major cause of low sex drive that is connected to mental health – low body positivity. Compromised body positivity can absolutely disrupt one’s sex life. What is body positivity?
“Body positivity promotes a positive view of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, and physical abilities among other criteria. Advocates focus on the appreciation of the functionality and health of the human body, as opposed to assessment of its physiological appearance.” (How to Improve Body Positivity Through Physiotherapy)
Physiotherapy can have a positive impact on body positivity by correcting pain, discomfort, and malfunction that makes someone feel bad about themselves. Further, physio can be employed to enhance performance for a variety of physical activities (yes, sex included) which can have a positive affect on how one feels about themselves, and subsequently their libido.
Do I need a sex therapist, you ask? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is for certain – physiotherapy can help improve your libido and sex life in many ways. If you reside in the Greater Vancouver BC area be sure to schedule a consultation at our Burnaby clinic today.