Testicular Pain
Eliminate your testicular pain with pelvic floor physical therapy.
What is Testicular Pain?
Testicular pain is discomfort or aching felt in one or both testicles. For some, it shows up suddenly and sharply, while for others it lingers as a dull, ongoing ache. The pain can stay in the testicle itself, or it can spread into the groin, abdomen, or even down the leg.
Symptoms can include:
- Aching or heaviness in one or both testicles
- Sharp or shooting pain that comes and goes throughout the day
- Pain that worsens with sitting, exercise, or sexual activity
- Discomfort that spreads to the groin, abdomen, or thigh
- Tenderness or sensitivity when touched
What Causes Testicular Pain?
Testicular pain can come from a variety of medical conditions, some of which require immediate attention. For example, testicular torsion is a medical emergency that cuts off the blood supply to the testicle and needs urgent treatment to prevent permanent damage. Testicular cancer, though often painless, can sometimes cause pain along with other symptoms like a lump, heaviness in the scrotum, or back pain. Infections such as epididymitis, orchitis, urinary tract infections, and certain sexually transmitted infections can also cause testicular pain. Because of these possibilities, it’s always important to rule out urgent or serious causes with a medical provider first.
That said, many people continue to experience testicular pain even after serious conditions and infections have been ruled out. In these cases, the pain often relates to pelvic floor dysfunction. Tight or overactive pelvic muscles can create painful trigger points that send pain to the testicles, while irritated pelvic nerves (such as the pudendal or genitofemoral nerve) can also contribute. When this is the case, pelvic floor physical therapy provides a safe and effective way to treat the underlying muscular and nerve issues.
What Does the Pelvic Floor Have To Do With Testicular Pain?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sit between your tailbone and pubic bone, the same area that rests on a bicycle seat. These muscles play a bigger role in testicular pain than many people realize. When they tighten or spasm, they can irritate nearby nerves that send pain signals to the testicles. Even if your doctor hasn’t found anything wrong with the testicle itself, the problem can still come from how the pelvic floor is working.
When the pelvic floor is not functioning well, men may notice aching or sharp pain in the testicles, discomfort during sexual activity, or pain that gets worse with sitting, exercise, or stress.
Causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
There can be many different causes of pelvic floor dysfunction. Below are some of the common causes:
- Psychological stress that keeps muscles tense
- Hip or pelvic injuries that change how muscles work
- Low back pain that places extra strain on the pelvic floor
- Core weakness that forces the pelvic floor to overcompensate
- Constipation that leads to chronic straining
- Past surgeries that affect nerves or tissue in the area
- Poor posture that changes how pressure is carried in the pelvis
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help with Testicular Pain
Living with testicular pain can feel frustrating and isolating, especially when the cause isn’t clear. Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a way forward by addressing the muscles and nerves that often play a hidden role in this type of pain. Our physical therapists look at how your pelvic floor works together with your hips, spine, and core, since tension or imbalance in these areas can send pain signals to the testicles. Because this pain involves such a sensitive part of the body, we make it a priority to create a space where you feel safe and respected.
Benefits of Working with a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist For Testicular Pain
If you’ve been experiencing testicular pain without an identifiable cause, it could be due to pelvic floor dysfunction. A pelvic floor physical therapist at Beyond Basics could help to:
- Ease persistent testicular pain and discomfort
- Release tension in the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles that refer pain to the testicles
- Improve nerve function and reduce irritation contributing to testicular pain
- Restore balanced coordination of pelvic floor muscles to decrease strain on sensitive areas
- Enhance blood flow to reduce inflammation and support healing in the pelvic region
- Address underlying muscular issues so you can return to normal daily activities without pain
What To Expect
During Your Initial Appointment
During your first appointment, our team at Beyond Basics will begin by asking questions in order to learn more about you and provide us with the context we need to understand any symptoms you are experiencing, including any testicular symptoms.
We’ll then conduct a physical exam. This is a hands-on evaluation from head to toe, based on your symptoms. This might involve evaluating external and internal pelvic floor muscles, with the purpose being to trace your issue to its source(s) in order to alleviate pain and discomfort.
These internal manual techniques are applied to the structures of the pelvis. This includes the pelvic floor muscles, nerves, and bones. We want you to be as comfortable as possible during the session, and you have the right to refuse any treatment at any time without explanation.
Your PT will also provide you with exercises to begin at home to address your symptoms and ease your pain. These at-home exercises are customized specifically based on your needs.
During Your Additional Appointments
Each pelvic floor physical therapy appointment is one hour long. Your physical therapist might spend that time performing manual therapy, teaching you movement techniques and exercises, discussing your progress, answering questions, providing patient education, and reviewing your at-home program.
Most patients notice an improvement in symptoms within 8 weeks (or sooner).
Reduce your testicular pain today.
Client Testimonials
Beyond Basics: We Can Help
At Beyond Basics, we are committed to treating pelvic floor issues with sensitivity to each individual’s needs, regardless of sex, race, identity, age, or orientation – we treat the whole person with a comprehensive, caring biopsychosocial approach.
Since 2003, Beyond Basics has been a place of hope and healing for our patients. We believe skilled and compassionate healing can restore your body’s harmony and balance. Founder, Amy Stein, and co-founder, Corey Hazama are renowned experts and leaders in pelvic floor PT.
The skilled physical therapists at Beyond Basics receive extensive training to qualify them to be the world’s leaders in pelvic floor rehabilitation. All of our therapists have been carefully selected to work at Beyond Basics because they possess the right expertise, kindness, and empathy to allow them to excel at our practice. Our therapists have completed hundreds of additional hours outside of their doctorates both internally and externally through institutes such as Herman and Wallace and the American Physical Therapy Association, to help hone their practice and provide exceptional treatment efficiently and compassionately. In addition to being the world’s first and foremost experts in pelvic floor dysfunction, our individual therapists have cultivated additional skills unique to their own personal interests. Read more about each one of our therapists here.
Get help now from a pelvic floor therapist.
Frequently Asked Questions
— Beyond Basics PT | Pelvic Floor Therapy NYC.
Why do I still have testicular pain if my primary care doctor says nothing is wrong?
Sometimes tests don’t reveal a clear cause, but many people still struggle with chronic testicular discomfort. In these cases, the pain is often a symptom of muscle or nerve issues in the pelvic region rather than the testicle itself being the problem (which often indicates pelvic floor dysfunction).
How can the pelvic floor muscles cause pain in my testicles?
When pelvic floor muscle dysfunction develops, the muscles can tighten or spasm. This tension can irritate nearby nerves, leading to referred groin pain or even sharp nerve pain felt in the testicles.
What does pelvic floor physical therapy for testicular pain involve?
At Beyond Basics, testicular pain treatment often includes gentle manual therapy, exercises, relaxation techniques, postural retraining, and education to reduce pelvic floor pain, improve coordination, and release trigger points that send pain signals to the testicles.
How long does it take to feel relief once I start therapy?
Some people notice changes within a few sessions, while others with chronic pain or chronic testicular symptoms need more time. Your progress depends on how your muscles, nerves, and daily habits respond to treatment; however, many people experience noticeable relief within eight weeks.
Will treatment be uncomfortable?
Our approach focuses on comfort and trust. Therapy may involve both external and, when needed, internal techniques to address pelvic pain, hip pain, and muscular tension, but everything is always explained first so you feel safe and supported.