If you’ve noticed a deep, nagging pressure when you sit, or you’ve been dealing with constipation that just won’t let up, it’s easy to assume something’s wrong with your digestion.
On the flip side, maybe you’re running to the bathroom all the time and constantly feeling like you need to pee even when you just went.
These symptoms can feel confusing, uncomfortable, and a little hard to talk about, but they’re more common than you think.
In many cases, they can be traced back to something you might not expect: your pelvic floor muscles.
More specifically, a condition called levator ani syndrome (LAS), where the muscles in your pelvic floor become overly tight and stop functioning the way they should.
The good news?
You’re not stuck feeling this way and physical therapy can play a huge role in helping you feel better.
In this article, we’ll break down what levator ani syndrome actually is, what it feels like, what causes it, and how a pelvic floor physical therapist can help relieve your symptoms and support long-term healing.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on beneath the surface.
What Is Levator Ani Syndrome?
Levator ani syndrome is a type of dysfunction to the pelvic floor.
When you have levator ani syndrome, the muscles in your pelvic floor are too tight.
This is also known as being chronically contracted.
The pelvic floor plays a role in supporting the bladder, the rectum, and the urethra.
It also supports the uterus and vagina.
LAS often involves pain from spasming of the levator ani muscle, which gives this syndrome its name.
The levator ani is a muscle near the anus.
Levator ani syndrome is more common in women than men.
What Does Levator Ani Syndrome Feel Like?
When you have levator ani syndrome, you can experience pain, urinary and bowel problems, and sexual problems.
In terms of pain, you can experience pain in your rectum that isn’t related to a bowel movement.
It’s usually felt higher up in the rectum and it’s common for one side, often the left side, to be more tender than the other.
This pain can be brief, on and off, or it can last hours to days.
It might get worse when you lie down, or sit, and it’s possible for it to wake you up.
It can also cause an overall “pattern of pain” in the area in and around your pelvis.
You might experience lower back pain, groin pain, and even pain in your thighs.
This can also include pain in reproductive organs such as in the vagina or testes.
Regarding bowel issues, LAS can cause the feeling of needing to strain to pass a bowel movement, and overall constipation.
For urinary issues, levator ani syndrome can cause bladder pain, pain when urinating, and being unable to start your “flow”.
It can also cause the opposite, leading to urinary incontinence and feeling like you need to urinate urgently, and frequently.
In terms of sexual problems, LAS can cause pain before, during, or after intercourse.
It can also cause erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or painful ejaculation.
What Causes Levator Ani Syndrome?
The exact cause of levator ani syndrome isn’t clear.
The pain and lack of muscle coordination can be attributed to a decrease in blood flow to the area caused by contracted muscles.
This then causes an acidic environment which triggers an inflammatory cascade in your pelvis.
This inflammatory cascade causes inflammation in your pelvis, the area around your pelvis, and in your nerves.
The final result is that your pelvic floor muscles become uncoordinated, and the various signs and symptoms of LAS.
There are a number of other factors that can contribute to development of LAS as well.
The following are some examples:
- Not passing stool when you need to
- Not urinating when you need to
- Trauma or injury to the pelvic floor, such as from surgery
- Atrophy (shrinking) of the vagina
- Pain in the vulva
- Continuing with intercourse when it’s painful (Dyspareunia)
- Other types of chronic pelvic pain including endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, or interstitial cystitis
How Can A Physical Therapist Help With Levator Ani Syndrome?
A physical therapist can be a big help for levator ani syndrome,
To start off, your physical therapist will perform an evaluation.
They’ll talk to you and run some tests to help understand the signs and symptoms you’re experiencing.
They’ll determine what factors are contributing to your LAS.
Next, your physical therapist will put together a personalized treatment plan tailored to your body.
With LAS, your physical therapist will help retrain the muscles in your pelvic floor as well as your nervous system.
The following are some examples of what your physical therapist could include in your treatment plan:
Your physical therapist can teach you relaxation exercises for your pelvic floor.
They can also teach you exercises for stretching and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.
They will guide you in proper technique for these exercises at your appointment, so you can do the exercises properly at home.
Your physical therapist can also use manual therapy to release some of the tension in your pelvic floor muscles.
This usually looks like applying pressure to certain points in your muscles to help them relax and improve blood flow.
Your physical therapist can also use technology such as gentle electrical stimulation or biofeedback to provide treatment for your LAS.
Finally, your physical therapist can provide trusted education about other lifestyle changes that can contribute to your condition.
For example, they can teach you to reduce pressure on your pelvis with proper posture.
They can also help teach you stress management techniques to reduce overall tension in your body.
Book Your Appointment With OurPhysical Therapy Clinic Today
Levator ani syndrome can be confusing, uncomfortable, and disruptive but it’s also highly treatable with the right support.
By addressing muscle tension, improving coordination, and reducing inflammation, physical therapy can make a meaningful difference in your daily comfort and pelvic health.
With personalized exercises, hands-on techniques, and guidance on helpful lifestyle adjustments, many people find long-term relief and feel more in control of their symptoms.
If you’ve been struggling with pelvic pain, bowel or bladder difficulties, or discomfort during daily activities, getting a professional evaluation is an important first step.
You deserve answers and a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Book your appointment with Mobility Health Physical Therapy today and let our pelvic health specialists help you move forward with confidence and comfort.
