Levator ani syndrome is not a term familiar to many, but it is actually a condition that affects a large part of the population, though it is often left undiagnosed. Common symptoms of Levator ani syndrome include feelings of pain or burning sensations in the rectum, which can also be indicative of several other conditions, which is why t is often left unchecked and unrecognized.
The condition actually affects the Levator ani muscle, which is a muscle surrounding the rectum near the tailbone area. It is not a dangerous condition, but it can be quite uncomfortable to experience, especially since the pain and discomfort can sometimes last for several days.
Symptoms of Levator ani syndrome
As mentioned above, the most common symptoms of Levator ani syndrome include pain. Sometimes individuals may also experience short, sharp contractions of the muscle, in which the pain can quickly flare up and become very intense at times. It is usually at this point that many individuals choose to see a physician, though I is recommended that you seek medical help even if you just experience pain on a consistent basis. This is because if left unchecked, the pain associated with Levator ani syndrome can soon spread to a larger area, or individuals may experience constant pain, which can certainly serve to interfere with daily activities.
Sometimes a bowel movement will provide temporarily relief of the symptoms, which is often a sure sign of Levator ani syndrome, since with many other conditions individuals actually experience more pain during and after a bowel movement. With Levator ani syndrome, a bowel movement releases some of the pressure on the muscle, which is why you experience less pain.
Why does one get Levator ani syndrome?
You may be wondering how you became afflicted with Levator ani syndrome in the first place. Sometimes there simply is no specific reason why an individual may suddenly be feeling such pain. Other times it can be determined that certain consistent behaviors can lead to the condition, such as sitting or standing for long periods of time in a position that puts pressure on your lower back, and subsequently causes the Levator ani muscle to become affected. If something like this can be determined to be the apparent cause, then often simply changing this behavior can eventually reduce and eliminate the symptoms.
Levator ani syndrome often affects individuals who spend long periods of time sitting, such as those who work in offices at desk jobs. Therefore, it is important to take frequent breaks and walk around a little. Sitting for too long can also lead to many other unfavorable conditions as well, so it is a benefit to your health to always make sure that you interrupt periods of sitting with short periods of movement.
Ensuring that you engage in regular bowel movements also helps to reduce the symptoms and risks of Levator ani syndrome, as there will be less pressure put on the Levator ani muscle for longer periods of time.
Don’t wait until the pain becomes severe. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, see your doctor or a specialist today.