Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for
Bowel Concerns
What if…you didn’t have to worry about bowel issues, bowel incontinence, fecal smearing, or constipation?
We see you…and we have seen others like you.
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Bowel leakage is also known as bowel incontinence. There are 2 main sphincters that control the bowels. The internal anal sphincter (not under voluntary control- a smooth muscle) and the external anal sphincter aka EAS (under voluntary control- a skeletal muscle). Due to a surgery, weakness or condition that left you bed ridden it can be common for the EAS to lose strength. This muscle needs to be strong to allow you to make it to the toilet. Focused pelvic floor strengthening for the correct muscles, hips, core and changes in bowel habits can be a true game changer.
Sometimes nerve damage can have this effect. While we can’t restore nerve function we have worked with those with nerve damage to maximize predicability in their daily bowel movements so they can live their lives without constant worry.
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Having a hard time making it to the bathroom after a strong urge? We can help. We take a holistic approach to finding why this is happening to you and then take action steps to improve control, timing and bowel consistency.
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Fecal smearing can be due to weakness, pelvic floor tension, poor stool consistency and more. We can help you get to the bottom of why this is happening.
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Dyssynergic defecation, also known as paradoxical or uncoordinated defecation, is a type of functional constipation where there is a lack of coordination between the pelvic floor muscles and the rectum during bowel movements. This can lead to difficulty in passing stool, incomplete evacuation, and chronic constipation. In dyssynergic defecation, the pelvic floor muscles may not relax properly, or the rectum may not contract effectively to expel the stool. Pelvic floor can help restore normal function and retrain you on how to poop properly.
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Chronic constipation can impact the pelvic floor muscles and can make other symptoms worse (i.e. leakage, pelvic pain, back pain etc.) Uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles or too much tension in the pelvic floor muscles can significantly narrow the passage for stool to be excreted causing straining, constipation and long term issues.
Pelvic PT focuses on bowel habits, triggers, toileting mechanics, intake goals, retraining the pelvic floor to coordinate and how to lengthen the muscles to allow for stool to pass with ease.
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Bowel outlet dysfunction, also known as outlet obstruction or obstructed defecation, is a type of functional constipation characterized by difficulty in expelling stool from the rectum and anus. This can result in incomplete evacuation, straining during bowel movements, and a feeling of blockage or obstruction. Bowel outlet dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor coordination of the pelvic floor muscles, rectocele (prolapse of the rectum into the vaginal wall), anismus (anal sphincter unable to relax properly to allow stool to pass), dyssynergic defecation (uncoordinated defecation), rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) dysfunction (issues with the reflex can lead to difficulty passing stool)
Pelvic floor PT can help teach you how to coordinate the muscles for emptying and also teach you toileting mechanics to help you long term.
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Pelvic floor muscle relaxation: Tight and overactive pelvic floor muscles can exacerbate anal fissure pain and hinder the healing process. We can teach you exercises and techniques to help you release tension in the muscles surrounding the anus.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum. They happen with increased pressure on the pelvic floor but are likely to develop with straining or recurrent diarrhea bouts. Working on toileting mechanics, normalizing bowel consistency through lifestyle changes, developing a bowel routine, learning how to relax and contract the pelvic floor at the right time can help.
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Our patients with IBS can get a lot of benefit from learning bowel routines, toileting mechanics, bowel massage, improving intake, identifying triggers and learning how to properly coordinate their pelvic floor muscles.
Our Method
1. Release
Identify the root cause your symptoms like constipation, bowel leakage, anal fissures and more. We will start hands-on therapy and treatment aimed at lengthening the tissue first, teach your body how to coordinate the muscles with various forms of biofeedback, decreasing pain, treating scar tissue, trigger points, muscle spasms, fascia limitations and joint stiffness.
2. Reload
Focus on addressing strength around the pelvis, pelvic floor, deep core, abdominals and hips. Our main goal is to address asymmetries, continue to work on scar tissue and mobility to set you up for the last phase of rehab.
3. Return
This is where the magic happens. In the return phase we focus on the activities you’ve been avoiding and ensure the root cause has been resolved. You’ll feel confident to continue on your own without your symptoms holding you back.