Have you ever experienced that nagging ache in your buttocks that just won’t go away? You’re not alone. Butt pain can be a real, well, pain in the butt! But fear not, we’re here to shed some light on this cheeky issue and give you the lowdown on how to deal with it.
![orange - chronic low back pain in Washington, DC - butt pain - pelvic floor physical therapy - 20006 - 20002 - 20001 - 20005 - 20036 A woman stands with her hands on her lower back as she deals with Chronic Low Back Pain in Washington, DC.](https://restorehopept.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bigstock-Rearview-Cropped-Fat-Adipose-O-474358401-1024x683.jpg)
Kinds of Butt Pain
First things first, let’s talk about the various types of butt pain you might encounter:
- Sciatica vs. Piriformis Syndrome: Sciatica is a pain that radiates down your leg, often stemming from a pinched nerve in your lower back. Piriformis syndrome, on the other hand, is when the piriformis muscle in your buttocks irritates the sciatic nerve. They’re like distant cousins, causing similar symptoms but with different triggers.
- Pudendal Neuralgia: This is a fancy term for nerve pain in the area between your sit bones (the ones you feel when sitting down) and can even affect your genitals. Ouch!
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Spasm: Imagine your pelvic floor muscles throwing a tantrum. That’s what happens with pelvic floor muscle spasms. They can cause pain and discomfort in your butt, hips, low back and pelvic region.
- Proctalgia Fugax: Ever experienced a sudden, intense butt pain that seems to come out of nowhere and vanishes just as quickly? That could be proctalgia fugax, a short-lived but painful condition.
- Hemorrhoids: While these aren’t technically butt muscles, they sure can make your butt hurt! Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectal area, causing discomfort and pain.
- SI Joint Dysfunction: SI (sacroiliac) joint dysfunction is another potential source of butt pain, which occurs when the joints connecting your sacrum and pelvis become irritated or misaligned.
![athlete - chronic low back pain in Washington, DC - butt pain - pelvic floor physical therapy - 20006 - 20002 - 20001 - 20005 - 20036 An athlete deals with chronic low back pain in Washington, DC while running on the track.](https://restorehopept.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bigstock-Asian-Sportsman-Has-Severe-Pai-472621669-1024x683.jpg)
How to Help Constipation with Butt Pain
Constipation and butt pain often go hand in hand. To ease the strain, here are some tips:
- Use a Potty Stool: Elevating your feet while sitting on the toilet can help straighten your rectum and make bowel movements easier.
- Diaphragmatic Breathing: Practice deep breathing to relax your pelvic floor muscles and reduce tension to make it easier for a bowel movement to pass through.
- Avoid Straining: Don’t push too hard during bowel movements. Take your time.
- Do Morning Stretches: Gently stretch your lower back and hip muscles in the morning to promote peristalsis, which is the movement of your colon. It is naturally most active in the morning.
- Drink Water: Staying hydrated helps keep your stools soft and easier to pass.
Pain and Sexual Dysfunction
Last but certainly not least, let’s address the elephant in the room: sexual dysfunction. Butt pain can impact your sex life, causing discomfort and anxiety. For both female sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction with male pelvic pain, communication is key. Talk to your partner about your pain, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice from a pelvic health therapist who can help address the physical and emotional aspects of this issue.
![couch - chronic low back pain in Washington, DC - butt pain - pelvic floor physical therapy - 20006 - 20002 - 20001 - 20005 - 20036 A woman experiences butt pain while sitting on her couch representing someone who could benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Washington, DC.](https://restorehopept.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bigstock-Asia-Beautiful-Woman-Holding-H-476766359-1024x683.jpg)
What to do?
- Rest Your Tush. Sometimes, all your butt needs is a little break. Lying on the floor can help with lumbar and pelvic alignment and relax muscle spasms. So, go ahead and give your couch a break while you enjoy some floor time.
- Cushion Your Tush. If sitting is unavoidable (we get it, life happens), invest in seat cushions and lumbar support cushions. These little buddies can make a world of difference in providing comfort and reducing pressure on your buttocks.
- Exercise? It Depends. Exercise can be a double-edged sword when dealing with butt pain. While gentle stretches and low-intensity activities can help, high-impact exercises might worsen the situation. It’s essential to listen to your body.
- Get advice. Consider consulting a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist. They can conduct a thorough evaluation and recommend specific exercises tailored to your needs, helping to reduce pain and improve function.
In conclusion, butt pain is no joke, but it’s also a problem with solutions. Understanding the different types of pain, taking care of your body through exercise and relaxation, and seeking help from pelvic health specialists can all contribute to a happier, pain-free posterior. So, the next time you’re dealing with a literal pain in your butt, you’ll know what to do – and you’ll be back to feeling cheeky in no time!
You can’t do it alone. Get a Physical Therapy Assessment in Washington, DC.
Contact Dr. Hope for a physical therapy assessment to help you find solutions to your butt pain.
To schedule an initial assessment or a free 30-minute phone consultation, send an email to DrHope@restorehopept.com.