Chronic pain is a prevalent topic many patients are hearing more about. One subset of this area of conditions is chronic testicular pain. 4-5% of men who see their urologist experience chronic testicular pain (1).

Some patients have a distinct cause for their testicular symptoms: hydrocele, tumor, post-vasectomy healing, or varicocele. However, up to 25% of men do not have a known cause of symptoms (2). In these patients, there are many contributing factors to their pain. These may include: nerves, thoracic spine, lumbar spine or abdominal muscles (2). Fortunately, these secondary causes may be addressed easily with physical therapy. Especially after multiple negative testing and failed treatment options, pelvic floor physical therapy can be a great addition to a treatment plan to help patients return to sports, sexual activity or just live more comfortably.

Male pelvic health physical therapy is a specialty within physical therapy focused towards the pelvic region, including the testicles. After a thorough evaluation, treatment may include both hands-on manual therapy and exercise. The physical therapy process is a bit of detective work to understand the root causes of someone’s pain and address each one in a systematic manner. Treatment may include:

  1. Manual therapy to the spine, pelvis or hip
  2. Soft tissue treatment to the abdomen, pelvic floor and/or spermatic cord
  3. Exercise treatment to improve mobility, flexibility and strength
  4. Education to promote healthy habits, change behavior, and understand pain
  5. Normalize bowel and bladder habits

Overall, physical therapy can be a great option for patients to start at any stage of testicular symptoms, once serious pathology has been ruled out. It is not uncommon to see testicular symptoms coincide with hip, groin, adductor and thoracolumbar symptoms.

All of these symptoms can be well managed by a pelvic health physical therapist. Click here to request an appointment with one of our pelvic health physical therapists!

  1. Characteristics and etiologies of chronic scrotal pain: a common but poorly understood condition. Aljumaily et al. Pain Res Manag. 2017.
  2. Chronic testicular pain in adult men: an integrative literature review. Quallich et al. American Journal of Men’s Health. 2013