Natural Remedies to Soothe and Prevent Rectal Spasms

What Are Rectal Spasms?

Rectal spasms refer to involuntary constrictions of the anal sphincter muscles. These sudden, painful contractions forcefully squeeze muscles in the anus and rectum leading to a range of distressing symptoms.

Common Symptoms

• Sporadic, sharp rectal pain
• Difficulty relaxing the anus during bowel movements
• Straining or inability to pass stool
• Feeling of painful pressure building inside the rectum
• Blood streaking the outside of stool

In some people, the discomfort comes and goes in short spasmodic episodes. For others, the rectal and anal muscles remain tightly clenched leading to chronic symptoms.

While symptoms last only temporarily for most, severe or prolonged spasms can significantly impact quality of life.

Underlying Causes

Abnormal spasms can stem from:

• Hemorrhoids
• Anal fissures
• Levator ani syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis
• General anxiety and stress

Trying to pass hard stools or experiencing frequent diarrhea outbreaks commonly worsen symptoms. The tendency of the walls of the anus to collapse inward instead of opening outward during bowel movements also plays a role.

Finding the underlying cause influencing the unhealthy constriction helps guide the best treatment approach.

5 Natural Ways to Relieve Rectal Spasms

1. Warm Baths

A relaxing warm bath helps soothe irritation and cramping by calming muscles in the pelvic floor and sphincter.

Aim for baths around body temperature or as hot as comfortably tolerated without burning skin (around 92-98F). Soak the anal area for 10-20 minutes daily, especially after bowel movements to encourage full relaxation.

Adding Epsom or sea salts helps reduce inflammation and contains magnesium that relaxes muscles. Oat bath products also relieve itchiness and irritation.

2. Pelvic Stretches and Massages

Gentle stretching that targets tight hip and pelvic muscles may release built up tension contributing to spasms after bowel movements.

Try:

• Happy baby pose in yoga - lie on back pulling knees into armpits, gently rock side to side massaging hips and lower back into mat.
• Figure 4 stretch - cross one ankle over opposite thigh in a "4", flex front foot to stretch outer hip.
• Seated piriformis stretch - sit with one leg extended, cross opposite ankle over knee and lean forward stretching hip muscles.

Follow stretches with soft circular pressure from a massage ball against the sitz bones to loosen clenching.

3. Fiber and Water Intake

Staying hydrated and getting enough fiber prevents constipation and strain that further inflames sensitive rectal tissues.

Drink fluids throughout the day and consume 25-35 grams of fiber daily from fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and bran cereals to keep stool soft. Prunes or soaked chia seeds also help maintain regularity.

Avoiding processed carbs, dairy, fatty and sugary items that sluggish digestion provides further relief from irritation.

4. Essential Oils

Anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxing oils like lavender and chamomile prepared as topical rubs or added to baths alleviate spasm discomfort.

For a soothing oil blend try mixing 6 drops each lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba in a 2 ounce glass bottle. Apply generously around the anal area up to 3 times daily.

Tea tree oil boosts healing capabilities when applied topically diluted after bowel movements as well.

5. Stress Management Techniques

Since mental strain commonly manifests physically with clenched muscles, addressing high stress levels improves prognosis.

Practicing calming activities daily like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing routines, yoga, nature soundtracks, or gentle exercise retrains the body's stress reactions for relaxation.

Talk therapy assists in finding additional coping mechanisms for identified anxiety triggers contributing to flare ups.

When to Seek Medical Care

While the above home remedies help manage symptoms, prompt medical attention offers guidance on appropriate treatment options if:

• Bleeding worsens or pain becomes excruciating
• Difficulty passing stool persists beyond a few days
• Weight loss, vomiting or fever suggesting infection develop
• Natural spasm relief attempts for 2-3 weeks show no lasting improvement

Based on evaluation, doctors may prescribe:

• Topical ointments like lidocaine or nitroglycerin to numb and relax sphincter muscles
• Oral muscle relaxers
• Laxatives, stool softeners, or enemas for constipation
• Surgery if anal fissures or structural issues show no improvement from conservative treatment

Identifying and treating any main trigger points like inflammatory bowel diseases or pelvic floor dysfunction also helps long term prevention once acute swelling subsides.

Seeking Guidance from a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

Consulting a pelvic floor specialist provides expert guidance on stretching and massage techniques, biofeedback training, and lifestyle changes tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and challenges.

Modern understanding of the intricate nerve and muscular involvement around the pelvis offers new promise for rehabilitating even stubborn cases of discomfort and spasmodicactivity previously deemed untreatable.

Pelvic physical therapists also determine if a tense pelvic floor or poor coordination relaxing and contracting muscles appropriately contributes to the tendency towards painful cramping.

Managing Chronic or Nerve Related Rectal Spasms

For recurrent cases still showing minimal improvement after addressing all identifiable causes, pelvic nerve blocks provide temporary paralysis to break the pain cycle.

Botox injections to selectively paralyze overactive muscles, prescription lidocaine ointments, or anti-spasmodic drugs offer additional minimally invasive relief options before considering surgery.

As a last resort, sphincterotomy surgery cuts a portion of the internal or external sphincter muscle to reduce resting pressure on surrounding nerves.

Preventing Further Rectal Spasms

While completely eliminating future rectal spasms proves difficult if an underlying condition like inflammatory bowel diseases persists, preventing severity and frequency is possible by:

Improving Toileting Posture

Using a small footstool elevates feet into a squatting position ensuring thighs stay above hips while sitting on the toilet. This straightens the anorectal angle allowing less strained evacuation.

Avoiding Straining Too Long

Pushing longer than 30 seconds risks hemorrhoid flair ups making symptoms dramatically worse.

Visiting a Gastroenterologist

If spasms occur alongside frequent diarrhea or constipation, see a digestive specialist to treat the root imbalance regulating proper waste elimination.

Adjusting Anal Play Aftercare

Always use copious lubrication and stop any anal play at first signs of discomfort. Clean gently, apply witch hazel or hydrocortisone, and give tissues proper rest before continuing activity.

Rushing expanding limits too fast risks microtears and scarring making symptoms increasingly worse long-term.

Reducing Stress Triggers

Keep stress journals identifying themes over time then brainstorm coping alternatives to minimize anxiety and clenched muscles.

Schedule relaxing breaks between tasks, carve out daily self-care rituals, or consider counseling targeting lingering traumatic associations manifesting as tense pelvic areas.

Outlook for Relief from Rectal Spasms

Implementing at home care tips offers initial relief as long as swelling and inflammation exists. Identifying then addressing the root drivers prolongs spasm free periods further.

Pelvic floor training assists reestablishing normal muscle coordination and nerve conductivity regulating appropriate constriction and relaxation.

While uncomfortable sporadic episodes may still occasionally occur despite preventative efforts, reducing known triggers minimizes severity and disruption to daily life.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.