Pressure around the rectum can be a concerning symptom for many, especially men. In some cases, this pressure can be caused by pelvic floor dysfunction, a condition that affects the muscles, nerves, and connective tissues in the pelvic region. This blog will explore some of the causes of this pressure around the rectum, looks at the seriousness of the symptom, and discusses the natural treatment for it.
What Causes Pressure Around the Rectum?
Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur due to a variety of factors, including:
- Weak pelvic muscles – The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for supporting the bladder, rectum, and other pelvic organs. If these muscles become weak, they may not adequately support the rectum, leading to pressure or discomfort in the area.
- Tight pelvic muscles – Some men may experience pressure around the rectum due to pelvic muscles that are too tight or tense. This can be caused by bad workouts, lifestyle, ergonomics, previous injuries, stress, and anxiety to name a few.
- Nerve damage – The nerves that control the pelvic floor muscles can become damaged due to injury, surgery, or other medical conditions. When this happens, the muscles may not be able to function properly, leading to pressure or discomfort around the rectum.
- Prostate problems – The prostate gland is located near the rectum and can sometimes become enlarged or infected. This can cause pressure or discomfort in the area and may require medical attention.
Is Pressure Around The Rectum Serious?
While pressure around the rectum can be uncomfortable and concerning, it’s not always a symptom of a serious medical condition. In many cases, it can be caused by pelvic floor dysfunction, which can often be treated with:
- Lifestyle changes
- Functional movement corrections
- Postural corrections
- Breathing biologically
And a long list of holistic measures discussed in my blog: “Are Yoga Exercises Good for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction”.
In some cases, pressure around the rectum may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. This includes colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other digestive disorders. Unfortunately, pressure around the rectum is commonly seen in the younger population that don’t experience these more serious symptoms. Regardless, it is best to make sure there are no serious conditions that are being overlooked.
Holistic Treatment for Pressure Around The Rectum
The treatment for pressure around the rectum will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Here is the list of my protocol that has helped many with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction which is found in my blog:
- “Behavior modification: which is always part of the solution list to all issues. Your behavior about life changes how you do everything in life! It is not going to correct any dysfunction fully but addresses some of the feeders of the problem.
- Postural Neurology: Movement is like a concert and the body parts are like the musicians. The musicians not only need to know their part but to know when to chime in and phase out. That means the pelvis and pelvic floor need to know how to ‘play’ with the rest of the body if they are to sustain their strength and integrity. This is what Postural Neurology is all about.
- Functional Movement: Common sense says that the most authentic way to move is the way babies move. After all, all babies from all over the world go through the same developmental stages of movement (Developmental Kinesiology) which means that we are hard-wired to move that way. So if the issue is movement-related or supported, then we should see how we compare to the way we moved as babies. All discrepancies are then highlighted and can be corrected through Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises which are baby movements.
- Kegels? There are machines like the Emsella Chair that do 400 Kegels per minute involving all of the muscles of your pelvic floor and not the ones that you hope to be engaging. Note that Kegel exercises are not for all types of incontinence and pelvic floor muscle issues.
Emsella chair
- Breathing is what babies do automatically and that is what we need to do in order to sustain the bottom of the breathing apparatus, the pelvic floor!
- Internal manual work which ideally should be done to assess the muscles inside the pelvis BUT does not have to be done in all cases.
- Nutrition: Avoid Citrus, caffeine, soda, artificial sweeteners, and spicy foods. Take collagen, Vit. C, Vit. D, Omega 3, and protein if no conflict with any other conditions that suggest their avoidance.
- Ergonomics: Sit on an exercise ball vs a chair. Get a keyboard that is as wide as your shoulders. Limit your sitting to no more than one hour and alternate with standing. Make sure the middle of your monitor is at eye level, to name a few.
- Postural Awareness: It is important to pay attention to the posture and catch yourself when not standing on both feet, slouching, and shifting the pelvis forward in front of the ankles. Best to associate the increase in attention with activities done each day; for instance, when talking to someone pay attention to the feet and pelvis positioning.
- Sleeping habits: do not sleep on the stomach and if you are a stomach sleeper, get a body pillow to minimize that.”
In cases where pressure around the rectum is caused by a more serious medical condition such as colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, treatment will depend on the specific condition and may involve surgery, medication, or other interventions.
Who Is The Best Provider To Treat Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Ask around, speak to the office, have a list of your questions, and ask to see if you can have a short conversation with the clinician. This video explains it more:
If you have unresolved pressure around the rectum despite having seen many providers or suspect you may have pelvic floor dysfunction, contact me.
Dr. Shakib
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