12/18/2024
Did you know that symptoms of a hypertonic pelvic floor can mimic other common concerns, including urinary tract infections and genitourinary syndrome of menopause?
Another wonderful post from Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center!
Our pelvic floor muscles play many roles! 📣 They are unique in that they have autonomic functions, meaning we don’t have to think about them being active (like when they provide us with support for our pelvic organs or prevent us from leaking during laughing, sneezing & jumping) 🙏
The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) also have voluntary functions, which means we can override their automatic functions 🔛
Unfortunately tight PFM can lead to symptoms when things go awry & we lose some of the voluntary/involuntary control 👇
Hypertonic PFM can 👉 compress our urethra & make us feel like we have to urinate urgently & frequently when there is the volume of urine in the bladder to support these sensations
Hypertonic PFM can 👉 cause referred stimuli to the bladder & cause the same symptoms. This is because certain peripheral & central nerves innervate both the PFM & the bladder itself
Hypertonic PFM can 👉 also cause UTI-like symptoms, with burning before or after urinating & urination urgency/frequency
Hypertonic PFM ❌cannot❌ contract with the speed & force as muscles that are not tight. Therefore, we may also leak💧 with tight muscles. It is important for us to distinguish tight VS weak muscles since proper treatment will depend on which problem is leading to leaking.
Hypertonic muscles 👉may not voluntarily relax enough when we try to urinate or have a bowel movement & can lead to urinary retention and/or constipation.
Pelvic floor PT can help, no matter which cluster of symptoms you have, the underlying problems often go back to the pelvic floor & girdle muscles. We are here to help you figure it out! ❤️