title: The effect of yoga on puborectalis paradox.
abstract: Nine patients with severe defaecation difficulties primarily considered to be due to puborectalis dysfunction (puborectalis paradox), verified by electromyography (EMG) of the striated anal sphincter muscles, were offered training in Yogic techniques of relaxation and muscle control in order to change the activity of the pelvic floor muscles during attempted defaecation. Five patients completed the training program of 20 2-hour sessions and were re-examined clinically and with EMG. One patient regained a normal EMG pattern but none of the patients improved clinically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dolk
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holmström
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frostell
authors.forename: B Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015013:Yoga