Pelvic Floor Relaxation for Men that Relieves Chronic Pelvic Pain

Pelvic floor relaxation for men treats pelvic floor muscle spasm and increased pelvic floor muscle tone1.

Pelvic pain is another term used to describe chronic prostatitis and pelvic floor myofascial pain conditions in men.

Research shows pelvic floor relaxation and manual therapy can significantly reduce chronic pelvic pain in men2.

Video Suitability

This pelvic floor relaxation video is suitable for men who have chronic pelvic pain and pelvic floor muscle spasm.

Please note this video is classified as adult content on YouTube

Pelvic Pain and Pelvic Relaxation Therapy

Pelvic Pain and Relaxation Therapy for Men

with Michelle Kenway Physiotherapist

This guided pelvic floor relaxation Physiotherapy program helps you relieve pelvic pain and pelvic floor muscle spasm.

This program equips you with the essential skills for managing and treating pelvic pain.

This cost effective audio download is an effective home management solution for overcoming pelvic pain and muscle spasm in men.

Pelvic Floor Relaxation Video for Men

The pelvic floor relaxation techniques used to treat chronic pelvic pain involve breathing exercises, progressive body relaxation and non-judgmental acceptance of muscle tension2.

This pelvic floor relaxation video guides you through breathing exercises, body scanning and progressive pelvic floor muscle relaxation. These techniques are often prescribed for men who suffer from pelvic pain conditions related to muscle tension. You may like to practice these relaxation techniques at home in conjunction with clinical treatment for pelvic floor muscle relaxation.

Sometimes pelvic floor exercises or Kegels are included in pelvic floor relaxation programs. 

Avoid active pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises) until you can contract and fully relax your pelvic floor muscles and relax them without pain to avoid exacerbating pelvic pain and symptoms of pelvic floor spasm.

Male Pelvic Floor Muscles

Male pelvic floor muscles


The male pelvic floor muscles6 viewed from the base or underside of the pelvis are shown in the diagram (left)

These muscles can become tight, short and painful in isolation or together as a group. When pelvic floor muscles shorten they lose their ability to contract and progressively weaken. Some of the symptoms of pelvic floor muscle spasm can then become apparent and these are listed next.

Pelvic floor relaxation physiotherapy for men with pelvic pain usually focuses on treating the muscles at both the front and back of the pelvic floor. It also includes the muscles surrounding the pelvic including the abdominal muscles, buttocks, hips, thighs and groin.

Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Muscle Spasm in Men

Pelvic floor muscle spasm in men symptoms include:

  • Pelvic pain (groin, anus, lower abdomen or bladder)
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Decreased bladder control
  • Incomplete or slow bladder emptying
  • Pain with ejaculation or bladder emptying

Pelvic Pain Relaxation Treatment for Men

Pelvic floor relaxation treatment aims to restore normal pelvic floor muscle tension and relieve the symptoms listed above.

You may choose to include this video relaxation routine as part of your home management if you have pelvic pain and medical assessment has excluded pelvic pathology or confirmed the existence of pelvic muscle spasm.

This pelvic floor relaxation video is divided into 3 parts that should be followed in the following order:

Part 1: Body Scanning

Body scanning is used to improve your awareness of muscle tension in your body 4.

Many people hold muscle tension in specific areas of their body without realizing for example jaw clenching. In a similar way you may not notice that you clench your pelvic floor muscles from habit, with stress or tension.

Body scanning and non judgmental awareness of the presence of pelvic muscle spasm can help you relax your pelvic floor muscles.

Part 2: Breathing Exercise

This deep breathing technique is also known diaphragmatic breathing or Yoga breathing.

Deep breathing can slow the nervous system and promote muscle relaxation including the pelvic floor muscle relaxation. Deep breathing is an essential skill for relaxing your pelvic floor muscles.

Deep breathing promotes downward movement of your diaphragm by expanding your chest wall and abdomen. Relaxing your abdomen can help relax your pelvic floor. Research shows that it’s not possible to contract the pelvic floor muscles effectively with the abdominal wall relaxed 5.

When you breathe in deeply, your diaphragm moves downwards, your abdominal muscles lengthen and gentle downward pressure is exerted onto your pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor should be able to move down slightly as you inhale.

When you breathe out, your chest wall relaxes, your diaphragm moves back upwards towards your chest and your pelvic floor should naturally lift within your pelvis.

The normal movement of your diaphragm should be mirrored in the subtle movement of your pelvic floor as you breathe. When your pelvic floor muscles are held tense, the normal movement of your pelvic floor is altered. 

Part 3: Pelvic Floor Muscle Relaxation

Voluntary relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles involves letting go of pelvic floor tension, just like relaxing a clenched jaw.

Physiotherapists often teach pelvic floor relaxation to reinforce manual therapy in the clinic. Manual therapy for the pelvic floor can involve pelvic muscle stretching and trigger point therapy via the anus, groin or buttocks. 

Pelvic floor relaxation for men is an essential skill to learn and practice to overcome pelvic pain associated with pelvic muscle spasm.

Voluntary relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles involves:

  • Being able to sense when pelvic floor muscle tension is present
  • Accepting muscle tension without judgement or fear
  • Voluntarily relaxing or letting go of pelvic floor muscle tension using breathing techniques and mental strategies
  • Maintaining pelvic floor muscle relaxation lying down, standing up, walking and then everyday activities.

More Pelvic Floor Relaxation Information

References

1. Hetrick, D. et al (2003) Musculoskeletal Dysfunction in Men With Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Type III: A Case-control Study. Journal of Urology, 170(3):828-31.

2. Anderson R. et al (2005) Integration of myofascial trigger point release and paradoxical relaxation training treatment of chronic pelvic pain in men. Journal of Urology, 174(1):155-60.

3. Barbalias G. et al (1983) Prostatodynia: Clinical and Urodynamic Characteristics. Journal of Urology, 130(3):514-7.

4. Shelly B, Knight, S. et. al. (2002) Pelvic Pain ch 23-27. Therapeutic Management of Incontinence and Pelvic Pain, J. Laycok and J Haslam. London, Springer-Verlag: 156-189.

5. Neumann P and Gill V. (2002) Pelvic floor and abdominal muscle interaction: EMG activity and intra-abdominal pressure. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 13 (2): 125-132.

6. Muscles of the Male Perineum Wikimedia Commons URL: https://cnx.org/contents/FPtK1zmh@8.108:b3YG6PIp@6/Axial-Muscles-of-the-Abdominal Version 8.25 from the Textbook OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology

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