Anal Fissures and Pelvic PT
Many patients suffer from Anal Fissures, which are small tears in the tissue that lines the anus. Tension in the muscles of the pelvic floor can both cause anal fissures as well as make them difficult to heal. Pelvic floor physical therapy can be very effective with helping to heal anal fissures as well as helping with long-term relief and prevention.
What is an anal fissures?
An anal fissure is a cut or tear in the anal sphincter muscle. Symptoms include sharp pain with bowel movements and/or bright red blood with bowel movements. The cut/tear can cause bleeding and the pressure from bowel movements can cause pain. Fissures can be hard to heal, and may become a chronic problem for some people. The pressure from a bowel movement can be enough to open up the fissure again, causing a cycle of pain and non-healing.
What are common causes of anal fissures?
Giving birth
Tight pelvic floor muscles
Constipation and straining with bowel movements
Trauma or significant stretching at the anal sphincter muscles
Less common: infections, inflammatory bowel disease
Tight pelvic floor muscles and anal fissures
In our patients with anal fissures, we often find tight muscles in and around the pelvic floor and anal sphincter muscle. When these muscle become tight, they cause the sphincter to tighten as well. This restricts mobility and blood flow to the area, which is KEY for healing of the fissure/wound.
Tight muscles around the sphincter also put pressure around the sphincter during bowel movements, causing you to push and strain more, which can make the fissure worse.
My doctor told me my only option for my fissure is surgery!
This is not true! Many cases of anal fissures are caused by or aggravated by tension in the pelvic floor muscles. Surgery is invasive and can have complications, so we ALWAYS recommend working with a highly skilled pelvic floor physical therapist who is trained in treating anal fissures. Pelvic PTs will do an extensive assessment to determine the muscles and tissues that are tight and restricted that may be exacerbating your fissure. They will also help guide you in improving your overall bowel health through nutrition, water intake, and other lifestyle changes.
Anal Fissure Treatment
In order to allow the fissure to hear, we have to break the cycle of tension! A pelvic floor physical therapist can help with the healing process and long-term management. If you are experience persistent anal fissures, click here to schedule a complimentary phone consultation to discuss your symptoms with a member of our team.
