So many people talk about the need to tighten and strengthen the pelvic floor that it might seem strange to consider that muscles can be too tight.
When muscles stay tight, they get painful. Maybe with an ache at first, but then with sudden spasms (cramps) when they tighten even more. You will need to learn to relax and ‘down train’ the muscles to help your pain.
The pelvic floor muscles tighten to control the bladder or bowel and for pain-free erections. They relax when you urinate or defaecate (open your bowels).
Pelvic pain often makes these muscles tense up sub-consciously. You probably won’t realise that it’s happening. Muscles that are constantly tensed, become tight and shortened – then they start hurting.
Exercises to tighten the pelvic floor are called ‘Kegel Exercises’. These are the ones you should avoid.
Exercises to relax the pelvic floor are sometimes called ‘Reverse Kegels’.