If you have never heard of levator syndrome before, then you are not alone. This is a condition that affects surprisingly large numbers of people in Los Angeles and in nearby Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, yet it is still not well known. Many people have the symptoms of levator syndrome, but may not seek medical attention. Levator syndrome is uncomfortable and at times extremely painful, but it is not dangerous. However, as it can have a serious impact on the quality of life for the sufferer, it is definitely worth booking an appointment and getting it checked out.
How can I tell if I have Levator Syndrome?
How can I tell if I have Levator Syndrome?
The muscle spasms are painful contractions which are unable to control or prevent without some kind of treatment, and they are characteristic of levator syndrome (which may also be called proctodynia or levator ani syndrome).
Another indication that you may have levator syndrome is the presence of a dull ache in this muscle, which may be present for a considerable portion of the day. Some patients only experience the spasms, others will just have the ache, while some will suffer from both.
What can I do if I Have Levator Syndrome?
If you think that you may be suffering from levator syndrome, then you will need to get this confirmed by your local colorectal surgeon. Los Angeles has many colorectal specialists, so getting an appointment with one should not be difficult. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed by a specialist, you will be offered treatment and will also be given some advice on how to prevent it from recurring in the future. This advice may also reduce the severity of your symptoms while you are waiting for the treatment to take effect.
The most common treatment for levator syndrome involves the use of ultrasound waves to massage the muscle and relieve the tension. The levator ani muscle will then be less likely to spasm and cause pain. The treatment will be carried out by your colorectal specialist, and it involves placing an ultrasound probe in the rectum in order to reach the muscle effectively.
If this method does not work, then the next option will be to use a small electric current to stimulate the levator ani muscle continuously for twenty or thirty minutes, which will induce fatigue. Fatigue reduces the chances of spasm, and therefore leads to a reduction in the symptoms.
The ultrasound method needs a treatment once a week for six weeks, while the electric stimulation is carried out three times a week for two weeks. Both are successful in treating the majority of patients who present with levator syndrome.
The most common treatment for levator syndrome involves the use of ultrasound waves to massage the muscle and relieve the tension. The levator ani muscle will then be less likely to spasm and cause pain. The treatment will be carried out by your colorectal specialist, and it involves placing an ultrasound probe in the rectum in order to reach the muscle effectively.
If this method does not work, then the next option will be to use a small electric current to stimulate the levator ani muscle continuously for twenty or thirty minutes, which will induce fatigue. Fatigue reduces the chances of spasm, and therefore leads to a reduction in the symptoms.
The ultrasound method needs a treatment once a week for six weeks, while the electric stimulation is carried out three times a week for two weeks. Both are successful in treating the majority of patients who present with levator syndrome.
However, for severe cases that do not respond, it is possible to use Botox injections to paralyze the levator ani muscle and provide relief from the spasms. It may not be as effective if the main symptom is aching.
Avoiding pressure on the levator ani muscle is also very important. This is one of the few bowel conditions that will improve when passing stool, because emptying the rectum relieves the pressure on the muscle and reduces the risk of spasms.
Avoiding pressure on the levator ani muscle is also very important. This is one of the few bowel conditions that will improve when passing stool, because emptying the rectum relieves the pressure on the muscle and reduces the risk of spasms.
What Should I do Now?
If you think that you have any of these symptoms, you should book an appointment with one of the many colorectal surgeons in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica. They will perform a physical examination in order to make an accurate diagnosis. If the levator ani muscle and the surrounding area feel tender to the touch, then this indicates that levator syndrome has developed. You will then be offered treatment and given some advice on how to reduce your symptoms and prevent the condition from developing again after treatment has been carried out.
