Can Massage Help Pelvic Pain Linked to Adhesions and Myofascial Restrictions?

At Nurture North, we often see clients who have been told their pelvic pain is due to “adhesions”—bands of scar tissue that can form after surgery, infection, or inflammation. While true adhesions themselves don’t simply “break apart” with massage, research shows that manual therapy can play an important role in managing pelvic pain—even when adhesions are thought to be involved.

Many people with chronic pelvic pain are diagnosed with adhesions, but in reality, pain in these cases often has multiple overlapping causes. These can include myofascial trigger points (tight, sensitive muscle bands), pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (overactivity or tension), nerve sensitization, and restrictions in the mobility of the internal organs themselves. All of these factors can mimic or exacerbate the pain often blamed on adhesions.

While manual therapy cannot dissolve adhesions in the literal sense, there is growing research support for hands-on treatment in pelvic pain syndromes. Techniques such as myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization can help reduce pain and improve tissue mobility by addressing fascial and muscular restrictions. Pelvic floor manual therapy, which includes both external and internal techniques, has been shown in studies to reduce pelvic pain and improve function—even in people who have been told they have adhesions.

Visceral manipulation, though more controversial in the research literature, is another approach used clinically to improve the mobility of the internal organs and reduce pain. I have personally taken courses in visceral manipulation specifically to support women experiencing pelvic pain and other female health concerns. My goal is always to provide safe, gentle, evidence-informed care that respects the complexity of these issues.

It’s important to be clear: manual therapy does not “break” adhesions the way surgery can. Instead, it works by reducing muscular tension, improving blood flow and tissue glide, modulating pain pathways, and supporting better overall function. For many people, this can lead to meaningful relief—even when adhesions are present.

At Nurture North, our approach is holistic and collaborative. We use manual therapy, movement, and education to help you understand and manage your pain. With your permission we can also work with your pelvic floor physiotherapist or other professionals like clinical counsellors, doctors or the midwives you are working with to ensure you receive comprehensive, coordinated care.

If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, know that help is available. You deserve relief and compassionate, informed support.

Want to learn more or book a session? Get in touch today—we’re here to help you feel your best.

Key References

• Fitzgerald et al. (2009). Randomized multicenter trial of myofascial physical therapy in women with pelvic pain. J Urol, 182(2), 570–580.

• van der Velde et al. (2023). Manual therapy for chronic pelvic pain: a systematic review. Int Urogynecol J, 34(1), 1–17.

• Zegarra-Parodi & Puri (2020). Visceral osteopathy: a systematic narrative review. J Bodyw Mov Ther, 24(1), 186–193.