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hello. I’m Dr. Sangchul Hwang, a researcher and practitioner of autonomic nervous system.There are many people who are frustrated when they visit a hospital with severe pain around the anus and are told that there is no abnormality on examination. Today, I will explain in detail how to diagnose anal sphincter syndrome and how to treat it in Chinese medicine.
I thought I had hemorrhoids, but it’s really anal sphincter syndrome? Causes and Diagnosis – DUOOKDUNAKIMHO – Korean Medicine
1. Anal sphincter syndrome, what tests are needed?
Anal sphincter syndrome is not a condition that is indicated by specific test values, but rather by a diagnosis of exclusion and clinical confirmation that no other condition is present.
- Rule out an underlying condition: An X-ray, CT, MRI, or endoscopy should be performed to make sure that hemorrhoids, fistulas, rectal cancer, or a tailbone fracture are not the cause of your pain.
- Rectal resin examination (the most definitive method): This is a test in which a specialist places a finger inside the anus to check the condition of the muscles. If the dull, stabbing pain that you usually feel is strongly reproduced when the anorectalis muscle is pressed, you may be diagnosed with anorectalis syndrome.
2. The Key to Anal Incontinence Syndrome from the Chinese Medicine Perspective: ‘Overstrain and Circulation’
Traditional Chinese medicine views this condition as more than just pain, but as a condition of stagnant blood circulation and autonomic dysfunction, with particular attention to abnormal contraction of the pelvic floor muscles due to stress or poor posture.
3. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments for anal sphincter syndrome
Tailbone manual therapy (chuna and relaxation)
The tailbone is organically connected to the anal sphincter. By gently relaxing the curled-in tailbone and correcting the surrounding structures, we reduce muscle tone. This plays a key role in reducing nerve sensitivity.
Acupuncture treatment of the intestinal qi and palpebral acupuncture points
The Zhang Qiangpoint, located just above the anus , and the Palipoint in the sacral region are important points that support the circulation of the Lower Qi.
- Bioelectrical stimulation: Acupuncture stimulation sends a ‘relaxation signal’ to the brain to calm nerves.
- Increased circulation: Improves microcirculation around tight muscles to flush out pain-causing substances.
Autonomic Regulation Therapy
Anal sphincter syndrome is aggravated when the sympathetic nerves are overactive. By balancing the autonomic nervous system through acupuncture or herbal prescriptions tailored to the patient’s constitution, the tense pelvic muscles will naturally relax.
4. treatment note: “Focus on relaxation, not contraction”
Many patients I see in my office do Kegel exercises to help with pain, but for people with anal sphincter syndrome, whose muscles are already overstrained, contraction exercisescan be poison. Instead, learning to release the tension through breathing and manual therapyis the first step to healing.
Unspeakable pain, when you know the cause, you see the way out
The biggest pain suffered by people with anal sphincter syndrome is not just the pain itself, but the frustration and loneliness of being told, “Your tests are normal, so why are you in pain?” or “It’s psychological.” I often see patients in my clinic who are depressed and alone with pain in an area they can’t talk about, even with their family. I see so many women in my office who suffer from pain in areas they can’t talk about, even with family members, and feel depressed because they keep it to themselves.Even though it may not show up on imaging, your pelvic floor muscles may be screaming and tightening under stress, overwork, or poor habits. Just as pulling on a tangled thread at once only makes it more tangled, forcing yourself to push through the pain or performing overzealous exercises only makes it harder on your body.
Healing begins with acknowledging the tension in your body and giving yourself permission to be kind to yourself. If you’re reading this right now with unspeakable pain, my heart goes out to you. With the right care and treatment, anal sphincter syndrome is a condition that can be beaten, and I wish you the best of luck in getting back to your normal life.
