Your pelvic floor is a crucial yet often overlooked part of your body. It supports vital organs, helps maintain bladder and bowel control, and plays an essential role in sexual function. However, when something goes wrong with these muscles, it can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, including a condition known as hypertonic pelvic floor muscles.
Hypertonic pelvic floor muscles, otherwise known as a “tight” pelvic floor, can cause significant discomfort and disrupt your daily life. While pregnancy is a common reason that people develop pelvic floor dysfunction, it can affect people of all genders, ages, and activity levels. Thanks to the increasing awareness of pelvic floor therapy, more individuals are finding life-changing relief for pelvic floor conditions that they thought they just had to live with.
What is pelvic floor hypertonia?
Pelvic floor hypertonia occurs when the muscles of the pelvic floor are too tight and cannot relax properly. This excessive tightness can decrease blood flow to the area, limit flexibility, and even cause pain or discomfort.
The pelvic floor muscles form a bowl-like structure that supports the bladder, uterus (in people assigned female at birth), prostate (in people assigned male at birth), and rectum. When functioning normally, these muscles tighten and relax throughout the day and on command to maintain control and support for bodily functions. However, when the muscles become hypertonic, they remain contracted or tense for extended periods, causing a number of issues.
What causes a tight pelvic floor?
There are various reasons why pelvic floor muscles can become hypertonic, including:
- Unmanaged stress or anxiety: Chronic stress can lead to involuntary muscle tightness, including in the pelvic floor.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: These events can put significant strain on the pelvic floor, sometimes resulting in dysfunction.
- Overuse in sports or exercise: High-impact activities or heavy lifting can lead to chronic tightness in the area.
- Trauma or injury: Surgical procedures and physical injuries can contribute to the onset of tight pelvic floor symptoms.
- Certain chronic conditions: Issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), endometriosis, or interstitial cystitis can result in a hypertonic pelvic floor over time.
Understanding the underlying cause is a crucial first step in finding answers to your questions as well as the right next step for seeking treatment.
Do I have pelvic floor dysfunction or just constipation?
It’s not uncommon for people to mistake one or more of the symptoms of hypertonic pelvic floor muscles for something simpler, like constipation or random aches. However, if you’ve been dealing with ongoing symptoms for weeks or months, it might be time to explore the possibility of pelvic floor dysfunction.
Treatment options for pelvic floor dysfunction
The best treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction often comes with the guidance of an expert pelvic floor therapist. They can provide education, biofeedback therapy, and hands-on treatment that helps you find relief quickly and sustainably no matter what stage of life you might be in. In many cases, physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction includes at-home exercises, stretches, or other practices that support your health when you’re not in our clinic.
Pelvic floor relaxation exercises you can try at home
If you suspect you have hypertonic pelvic floor muscles, there are relaxation techniques and exercises you can try to ease tension. While these aren’t a substitute for professional care, they may provide temporary relief:
- Child’s pose: Kneel on the floor and slowly lower your upper body forward so your buttocks rest on your heels. Stretch your arms forward to feel an opening in the pelvic area.
- Diaphragmatic breathing: Lie down on your back and take deep, slow breaths into your belly. Focus on relaxing your pelvic muscles as you exhale.
- Pelvic floor drops: As a kind of opposite of a traditional Kegel, try intentionally relaxing your pelvic floor muscles as though you’re letting go of tension.
If these techniques provide relief, it’s a good sign you may benefit even further from a personalized treatment plan.
Start finding answers with a personalized consultation
Living with pelvic floor dysfunction, including hypertonic pelvic floor muscles, can be frustrating, confusing, and even isolating. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Peak Performance Clinics, we specialize in assessing and treating the root causes of pelvic floor issues, offering patient-centered care that’s compassionate, effective, and tailored to your needs.
Start a conversation about your concerns with our team by calling one of our clinics throughout North Carolina or by requesting an appointment online today.
