How often have you been told to squeeze and tighten your pelvic floor (Hello outdated advice)? Did you know that for those who have a hypertonic pelvic floor this advice could cause more harm than good? So what exactly is a hypertonic pelvic floor?
We know that the the pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that form a supportive hammock-like structure at the base of the pelvis. It plays a crucial role in supporting the organs in the pelvis, including the bladder, bowel, and uterus (in women). Normally, these muscles contract and relax in coordination to support pelvic organs, maintain continence, and aid in sexual function.
When we use the term hypertonic pelvic floor, it refers to a condition where the muscles in the pelvic floor are overly tense or tight. When these muscles become too tight, it can lead to various symptoms and issues such as:
- Pelvic pain (can include urethral, vaginal, rectal, lower abdominal pain)
- Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements
- Pain during intercourse or insertion of tampons (either with initial or deep penetration)
- Urinary urgency or frequency
So what can we do to treat over active or hypertonic pelvic floor muscles? The aim is to teach the muscles how to fully relax. This can be achieved through a number of strategies including
- Strengthening your core strength (Through technology such as Emsculpt) to help offload the pressure on the Pelvic Floor Muscles
- Breathing and relaxation techniques
- Work on calming the sympathetic nervous system, eg. mindfulness, yoga
Ready to start releasing and relaxing your hypertonic pelvic floor? Check out our free 10-minute pelvic floor stretch class.
