The obturator internus muscle does not get much attention and care as the abs, pecs, or quads do. This may be because the muscle cannot be flexed or seen in a mirror, and many people in the world of fitness do not know much about the anatomy and function of this muscle.
The muscles, obturator internus, piriformis, levatorani, and coccygeus, are the four main muscles that form the pelvic diaphragm. In addition to that, these muscles are intimate with the glands and organs in the pelvic region. Note that the obturator internus muscle is very important for sports persons, as it helps in stabilization of the pelvis.
OBTURATOR INTERNUS MUSCLE
This is a fan shaped muscle, which originates on the medial surface of pubis. The muscle together with five other muscles is called the “deep six”. All these muscles are very important for the proper external rotation of the hip, abduction, flexion, and extension.
The obturator fascia forms a canal called Alcock’s canal, which encloses the pudendal vessels and the pudendal nerve, and cross the obturator internus muscle. However, the pudendal nerve can sometimes get trapped in the obturator fascia, leading to many types of pelvic issues such as Neuralgia or severe pelvic pain.
NEURALGIA AND PUDENDAL NERVE
Neuralgia refers to intense pain along the course of a nerve, and typically, the pain can be intermittent. Trapping of the pudendal nerve by obturator fascia can lead to all sorts of neuralgia symptoms like burning, itching, cold, and tingling sensations in groin, legs, abdomen, and buttocks.
The pudendal nerve is the only nerve with both autonomous and somatic fibers, meaning that problems to the nerve can lead to the above issues together with increased heart rate, blood pressure, constipation, and great discomfort.
If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is very important to visit a center for pain relief to treat the issue as soon as possible. These centers can demonstrate how to perform myofascial stretching of the obturator internus muscle, which affects the fascial attachments and would help you get relief from the severe pelvic pain.