oh my sacrotuberous.... wait, what?

Most of us are familiar with the sacroiliac, the SI joint, and sciatica. But what about the all-important Sacrotuberous Ligament and Pudendal Nerve?

The pudendal nerve is a close neighbour to the sciatic nerve and is an important player in providing pelvic function and health. It is responsible for sensory and motor innervation to the sex organs as well as the urine, bladder, and anal sphincters. Impingement of this nerve can cause pelvic burning, tingling or numbing pain; pain with elimination or sexual functions; or pain in the lower back and outside thigh.

This nerve originates from S2-S4 spinal segments, then splits from the nerve just before it enters the sacral plexus. Here it exits the pelvis again right beside the sciatic nerve; and then almost immediately re-enters the pelvis, until it finally settles into the fascial ‘pudendal canal’ along the surface of the obturator internus muscle. Phew! With such weaving in and out of our pelvis, is it no wonder that this nerve can get compromised and cause some trouble?

The most problematic parts of the pudendal canal are the sacrospinous and especially the sacrotuberous ligaments. Our most likely suspects to cause imbalance in these ligaments are our hard-working gluteal muscles and hamstrings! Be sure to keep these muscles and ligaments healthy and give them some table time during your massage treatments.

Who knew that those tight glutes and hamstrings could cause such issues “down there”? 

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario 
#glutes #hamstrings #pelvicfloorbalance #pelvicfloorhealth #pudendalneuralgia