Remedial massage may provide supportive treatment for women experiencing muscular tension associated with vaginismus.

Vaginismus can involve involuntary tightening or guarding of the pelvic-floor muscles, which may contribute to pain or difficulty with vaginal penetration. Muscular tension can also occur in surrounding areas such as the hips, glutes, lower back, abdomen and inner thighs.

A suitably trained remedial massage therapist may use targeted external techniques, including trigger-point therapy and myofascial techniques, to address areas of muscular tension and tenderness around the pelvis and associated muscle groups.

My approach is supported by additional specialised training undertaken in China, alongside my experience in remedial and sports massage.

Vaginismus can have a range of contributing factors, so remedial massage should be considered supportive care rather than a cure.

Vaginismus: where is the muscle problem?

With vaginismus, the main issue involves involuntary tightening of the pelvic-floor muscles around the vaginal opening and vaginal canal when penetration is attempted or anticipated.

The muscles are not simply “inside the vagina.” The pelvic floor forms a muscular support system underneath the pelvis, and some of the muscles are located around the vaginal opening and perineum.

What can remedial massage do?

Treatment may help to:

• Reduce excessive muscular tension

• Address muscular tenderness and trigger points

• Encourage relaxation of surrounding muscles

• Improve awareness of muscular tension in the hips, glutes, inner thighs, lower back and abdomen.

• Support comfortable movement of the hips and pelvis

• Provide a more relaxed physical environment for the client

• External pelvic-floor muscles and surrounding muscle groups.

Treatment should always be gentle, respectful and guided by the client's comfort and informed consent. It should never involve forcing or pushing through pain.

Is remedial massage a treatment for vaginismus?

Remedial massage should be regarded as supportive care rather than a cure for vaginismus. Vaginismus can have several contributing factors, and treatment needs to be individualised.

Trigger-point therapy

Trigger-point therapy may be incorporated into a remedial massage treatment when appropriate, particularly for external muscles around the hips, glutes, lower back and thighs.

Working With Vulnerable People (ACT) Registered (WWVP)

Contacts 0435-626-343