An example of pelvic trauma is a pelvic fracture from a high-energy event like a car accident, where the strong forces break one or more bones in the pelvic ring, often causing significant pain and instability, sometimes leading to severe internal bleeding or damage to organs like the bladder or bowel, and potentially requiring surgery.
They include pelvic ring fractures, acetabular fractures, and avulsion injuries. Most pelvic injuries in younger patients are due to high-energy blunt trauma, although frail and older adult patients may sustain such injuries from a low-energy mechanism (ie, fall from a standing position).
But what's often overlooked is how deeply connected our pelvic health is to our mental and emotional well-being. Stress, anxiety, trauma, and grief don't just live in our thoughts—they live in our bodies. And for many people, especially women and birthing individuals, those feelings settle right into the pelvic floor.
Pelvic trauma can occur if you experience strong impact to the area, such as during a car wreck, motorcycle or bicycle accident, fall or getting hit by a car as a pedestrian. All of these traumas can cause injury to the pelvic bones, including fractures.
Symptoms of a hip or pelvic fracture include significant, sharp pain in the hip or groin and swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the skin at the site of the injury. Depending on the severity of the fracture, a broken bone may prevent you from putting any weight on the affected hip.
Check for signs and symptoms.
With a broken pelvis you cannot walk, sit or move well without pain. The pelvis protects the bladder, intestines and many important blood vessels. Many of the important leg muscles and abdominal muscles attach to the pelvis and allow for body motion and function.
Mild and stable pelvic fractures can usually heal without medical intervention such as surgery. However, if you have a mild pelvic fracture, you must limit the amount of pressure you put on your pelvis and legs and get enough rest so your fracture can heal properly.
Massage therapy and bodywork can also be effective in releasing trauma from the hips. Deep tissue massage can help release tension and emotions stored in the muscles and connective tissues of the hips. Bodywork techniques, such as myofascial release, can also be effective in releasing tension and improving mobility.
Signs of Pelvic Trauma
Often seen after sexual, emotional, or physical trauma. The muscles remain in a state of guarding, contributing to pain or conditions like vaginismus or dyspareunia.
HAPPY BABY POSE:
Lie on your back. Open your knees wider than your chest and bring them up towards your armpits. You may hold your legs with your arms behind your knees or at your ankles, but try to keep your ankles over your knees. You can either hold this position or gently rock on your back from side to side.
The hips are far away from the face or the heart, so the body often can find it 'more safe' to store deep emotions like grief or fear in this area of the body.
The symptoms of complex PTSD are similar to symptoms of PTSD, but may also include:
Physical therapy, the use of crutches and, rarely, surgery may be recommended. Healing can take eight to 12 weeks. Severe injuries to the pelvis that involve several breaks can be life-threatening. Shock, extensive internal bleeding and internal organs damage may be involved.
Symptoms include severe pelvic or groin pain, difficulty standing or walking, swelling, bruising, and in some cases, numbness or internal bleeding. The pelvis may feel unstable or painful with movement, and other injuries are often present.
There are broadly three types: type A: stable injuries with intact posterior pelvic ring and pelvic floor. type B: complete disruptions of the anterior pelvic ring but incomplete disruption of the posterior ring. type C: rotationally and vertically unstable injuries.
“There is absolutely truth to the idea that hip-opening yoga classes can make us emotional because we store unmet trauma and emotion in our pelvic space,” explains Meffan.
7 Clear Signs Your Body Is Releasing Stored Trauma
Most pelvic fractures are caused by some type of traumatic, high-energy event, such as a car collision. Because the pelvic bones are near major blood vessels and organs, pelvic fractures may cause extensive bleeding and other injuries that require urgent treatment.
It can take four weeks to a few months for your pelvic floor to heal after childbirth. But everyone is different, and many factors — the size of your baby, how difficult delivery was, if you had a tear — can impact healing.
The 5 Rs – Recognition, Resuscitation, Reduction, Retention, and Rehabilitation/Reconstruction – are the basics of fracture care. Learning these steps helps doctors improve patient results.
The following signs and symptoms can let you know you might have a pelvic floor issue:
Kegels
Pelvic fracture is a serious injury that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This is a result of the high energy transfer to the pelvic region. Road traffic accidents and falls from height are by far the most common mechanisms of injury.