At the other end of the pelvic floor spectrum we have piles (haemorrhoids) 💩
Piles can occur randomly, and they can happen to anyone; male or female, young or old. However, constipation is thought to be a big trigger for piles as the straining can put pressure on the blood vessels in that area.
Piles are abnormally enlarged vascular mucosal cushions in the anal canal. Mucosal cushions help us to maintain anal continence but when they become swollen, enlarged and start to cause symptoms, they then become piles or haemorrhoids.
So what can we do about it?
Generally speaking, making sure you’re well hydrated, go when you need to go (don’t hold it in!), don’t sit for long periods, and have a healthy diet all help.
From a rehab perspective it’s also worth checking to see if your pelvic floor is working properly.
A dysfunctional pelvic floor (even if you’re doing kegals to help your piles), is going to hinder or prevent any progress you might want to be making with your piles.
Pelvic floor exercises can help prevent piles by increasing blood flow to the anal region improving circulation, and by strengthening the muscles providing support for internal haemorrhoids and prevent existing ones from protruding, so it’s worth doing them.
But if the pelvic floor muscles aren’t working properly, it won’t be as effective as if they’re optimised.
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