Whether you're pregnant or not, chances are you've heard of the pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles that support your bladder, bowel and uterus. For pregnant women, keeping these muscles strong and healthy is important for preventing incontinence later on in life.
But even if you're not pregnant, it's still a good idea to keep your pelvic floor muscles in good shape, as they can often be tight and constricting.
There are a few tell-tale signs that your pelvic floor muscles may be too tight. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it's a good idea to see a doctor or pelvic floor physical therapist:
The pelvic floor is like a muscle. When it becomes overactive, you may experience chronic pain in various parts of your body including the sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis or even lower back muscles!
The key here though isn't just about what's happening deep inside; this problem can also be caused by an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise which leads us to common issues such as shortness of breath because too much excess air gets trapped within our abdominal cavity due to poor posture habits all day long while sitting at a desk, for example.
Impacted pelvic floor muscles can also give you the feeling that you need to poop but when you try, nothing comes out. This is called tenesmus and it's a frustratingly common symptom.
Chronic pain in the lower back, sacroiliac joints, or pubic symphysis
The feeling that you need to poop but nothing comes out (tenesmus)
Urinary incontinence or difficulty urinating
Painful intercourse
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to see a doctor or pelvic floor physical therapist. They will be able to help you determine the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Treating Tight Pelvic Floor Muscles
There are a variety of treatments that can be used to relax tight pelvic floor muscles. The type of treatment that is best for you will depend on the cause of your symptoms.
Pelvic floor physical therapy: A type of physical therapy that is specifically designed to help treat pelvic floor disorders.
Biofeedback: A technique that uses sensors to measure the activity of the pelvic floor muscles and provides feedback to help retrain the muscles.
Electrical stimulation: A technique that uses electrical impulses to help relax the pelvic floor muscles.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat tight pelvic floor muscles.
Child's pose is a relaxing yoga position that can help to stretch out the pelvic floor muscles. To get into child's pose, start by kneeling on the ground. Then, sit back on your heels and lower your forehead to the ground. Reach your arms out in front of you and rest them on the ground. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for at least 30 seconds.
The pelvic tilt is a simple exercise that can help to stretch and relax the pelvic floor muscles. To do the pelvic tilt, lie on your back on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Then, tilt your pelvis upwards, holding the position for a few seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do 10-15 reps of the pelvic tilt.
Kegels are exercises that help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. To do a kegel, squeeze the muscles that you would use to stop the flow of urine. Hold the contraction for a few seconds, then release. Repeat 10-15 times.
Pelvic floor massage is a great way to relax tight pelvic floor muscles. To do a pelvic floor massage, you will need to insert a lubricated finger into the vagina. Gently massage the muscles in a circular motion. You can also try using a vibrator for added stimulation.
These are just four of the many ways that you can relax tight pelvic floor muscles. For best results, try incorporating all four of these methods into your daily routine. By doing so, you'll be sure to keep your pelvic floor muscles healthy and strong.
In conclusion:
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the pelvis and help to control bowel, bladder, and sexual function. When these muscles are tight or in spasm, they can cause a variety of symptoms including pain, urinary incontinence, and difficulty urinating. There are several ways to relax tight pelvic floor muscles, including yoga, pelvic floor physical therapy, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and surgery. Pelvic floor massage is also a great way to relax the muscles.