When your pelvic floor is overactive and just won't let go.
Tight, overactive, or hypertonic pelvic floor muscles may be the cause of various pelvic floor concerns such as painful sex, urinary and bowel urgency, frequency, constipation, urinary and bowel retention, and pelvic pain. Tight muscles may also contribute to bladder leakages. In clinic, we have seen clients with overactive muscles not being able to kegel (because they are in a constant state of “kegel-ing”) and when a cough or sneeze comes, the pelvic muscles let go instead.
Achieving a state where the pelvic floor muscles are able to coordinate being tight with relaxation is the first step in treating many of the above symptoms. The following tools may be discussed and prescribed by your Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist depending on the assessment findings.
Breathing
The diaphragm is a large muscles underneath the ribcage that helps us breathe deep into the belly and also works with the pelvic floor in a sump-pump fashion. As it moves down when we inhale, the pelvic floor also moves down and they both move up on the exhale. Using the breath to connect with the pelvic floor during the day and in different stretches can help alleviate symptoms.
Dilators or Pelvic Wand
Depending on your needs, manual therapy and release may be performed by your Physiotherapist or prescribed to you as homework at home. Both dilators and wands are useful in different ways to help stretch and massage muscles internally. Please follow your therapist’s instructions carefully on how to use these tools. To find out more about the pelvic wand, click here.
Stretches
Along with breathing, yoga and stretching can help retrain the pelvic floor muscles. Commonly prescribed stretches may include child’s pose, cobbler’s pose and happy baby. When stretching, you should not have any other aches or pains. This is a sign to stop the stretch and consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you are dong them correctly.
Consult with your Family Physician or Gynaecologist/Specialist
Sometimes tightness in muscles can be a sign of tissue atrophy, degeneration, lichens sclerosis, or be due to another condition or menopause. Your physician may prescribe additional testing or a topical cream or hormonal solution to help the tissues which may complement the above prescribed therapies.
It is best to work both with your Physiotherapist and Physician to find the solutions you need for a health pelvic floor. Never be afraid to ask questions and continue to ask questions from different providers until you get the help you need. We are here for you.
Questions? Please comment below, email us at hello@kaaiaa.co, or book a free phone consult.
