Hypertonic /tight pelvic floor success

[StunnedCrab]

Hi all,
Wondering if anyone has any experience/success stories of easing hypertonic/tight pelvic floor? After a stressful period and nasty uti I realised I had been subconsciously tensing buttocks and pelvic floor causing prolonged uti symptoms and pain in area. I saw a wonderful pelvic floor PT a few weeks ago and started exercises/stretches. Keen to hear how long other have taken to ease it.
Thanks

Hopeful bump

Yes, I've been seeing a women's physio about this since May. I had an improvement over about 4 weeks then it worsened again but has slowly improved with acupuncture. I'm now rebuilding my exercises and spacing out the acupuncture and not in daily pain any longer. I was on amitriptyline for a while which really helped. Good luck!

@VioletIndigoBlueGreen thank you so much for replying.

Do you do stretches daily? Once or more? May I ask what your symptoms are? I had no idea about all this until recently and it has all sort of blown my mind. I constantly feel tightness in/around vulva and really have to belly breathe to stretch it out. The uti sensation is the most annoying symptom though I think.

Interesting re accupuncture, I will book.

Yes, I do stretches daily (or at least most days!) and now I've reintroduced daily pelvic floor exercises. I initially had to stop these as they were making my symptoms worse. I use a tens machine 3 or 4 times a week to support the acupuncture.

Belly breathing is really good too, and making sure I'm not holding my breath when stressed.

My main symptoms were pain when sitting, and also tailbone pain. That's all now reduced and basically gone, but it's taken a long time to get there. Good luck with your treatment!

Thank you so much for replying. Did you find you had better days and worse days?

Do you know what caused your tension?

I also have the same issues! Due to see a Physio in 2 weeks time. I have a tight feeling around my urethra, especially at the end of urination.

Hi @DancingGerbil let me know how you get on. I have been doing stretches since my first appointment about a month ago and no real improvement yet but know it can take time as I have obviously been clenching/tight for some time. Do you have uti symptoms? I found I was subconsciously clenching my bum all the time too which has been a hard habit to break.

@StunnedCrab yes I have uti symptoms that are worsened by anything physical, sex, exercise ect.. anything that puts stress on my pelvic floor.... I get frequency and a heavy feeling in pelvis.

I was diagnosed with a hypertonic pelvic floor and see a physio once in a while over years as a bit of “maintenance “. I carry all my stress in an already weak area and it causes havoc!

Once you get the knack of exercise and equally the relax part , I can re set mine within a few days now and be almost symptom free but it probably took months to get to this point. There are also some good videos on YouTube. Dr Bri comes to mind but there are others.

It's so frustrating isn't it. Have you had any other tests or scans? I suffer from health anxiety and whilst I trust the pelvic tightness is the issue, I sometimes worry it could be something else too...

Do you have prolapses OP? I have 3 and the hypertonic floor but managed by physio (so far). The physio would be able to diagnose. GPs are nt much use I found.

Hi @JT69 no the pelvic physio was very thorough and said no prolapses. That is great you can now reset your symptoms. I hope I get there! Yes I think I am similar in that I hold all my tension there and have to really consciously unclench when I notice it!

You ll get there - it just takes a bit of time and focus. Where would we be without our physios. Mine is fab and so supportive.

Yes they seem absolutely wonderful. I sobbed in my appointment!

I’ve done the same a few times. These issues really hit our MH so I was grateful for the support, the pep talk and the tissues.

Would you be able to give me some idea of the exercises you do?
I have uti symptoms and a lot of pelvic pain too

@diyisnotmyforte of course. My physio gave me a handful of exercises to do daily. Baby pose twice for 1 minute provides a good stretch, as do 6 rock backs with one leg straight on each side twice. She also suggested posture stretches too. If you google Dr Bri on youtube she has some greatly pelvic stretching workouts. Before I sleep I often just lie flat and hold up each knee with the other leg straight and do belly breathing to try to relax.

Thanks so much. I am really struggling with pelvic pain, urethral burning. I've tried most avenues to help but will try this now. Thank you

@DancingGerbil did you have your appointment?

@StunnedCrab what were your symptoms and have you had any improvement?

@Sunny866 mt symptoms are improved thank you! Still often have sensation of needing a wee but it is better than before.

@StunnedCrab thats great to hear! I’m suffering from constant feeling of needing to wee and have been told I have a right pelvic floor. Can I ask what exercises you did and how often?

@Sunny866 daily stretching including pigeon pose, happy baby and variants of those alongside deep belly breathing