Constipation & Bowel Dysfunction Treatment

While hydration, nutrition, and medications often play an important role in treatment, the muscles of your abdomen and pelvic floor also have a major impact on healthy bowel function. When these muscles aren't coordinating properly, they can contribute to ongoing bowel symptoms.

Pelvic health physical therapy helps address these underlying muscular issues so you can improve bowel function and feel more comfortable in your daily life.

What Causes Constipation & Bowel Dysfunction?

Bowel dysfunction is a broad term used to describe persistent changes in normal bowel function. For some people, this means constipation and difficulty passing stool. For others, it may involve bowel leakage, difficulty controlling gas, or even experiencing both constipation and incontinence at different times.

Several factors can contribute to bowel dysfunction, including:

• Low fiber intake
• Dehydration
• Lack of regular physical activity
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Medication side effects
• Nerve damage

Many people are surprised to learn that pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to constipation by making it difficult for the pelvic floor muscles to relax and coordinate during a bowel movement. Poor pelvic floor sensation and muscle coordination can also contribute to bowel leakage.

Because bowel dysfunction often has multiple contributing factors, identifying the underlying cause is an important first step toward long-term improvement.

What Are the Signs of Bowel Dysfunction?

Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause, but common signs include:

• Constipation or infrequent bowel movements
• Straining during bowel movements
• Feeling like you can't completely empty your bowels
• Difficulty controlling gas
• Bowel leakage (fecal incontinence)
• Alternating between constipation and bowel leakage

If these symptoms are occurring regularly or affecting your daily life, they shouldn't be ignored.

How Can Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Help?

Pelvic health physical therapy focuses on improving the coordination and function of the muscles involved in healthy bowel movements.

After discussing your symptoms, medical history, and goals, we'll create a personalized treatment plan designed to improve bowel consistency, reduce straining, and make bowel movements easier and more comfortable.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Pelvic floor muscle assessment and coordination training
• Breathing techniques to improve muscle relaxation
• Abdominal massage
• Toilet positioning strategies
• Personalized exercises
• Routine and lifestyle modifications
• Education on hydration and fiber intake

Rather than simply managing symptoms, pelvic health physical therapy helps address the muscular factors contributing to bowel dysfunction so you can achieve lasting improvement.

When Should You Seek Help?

Constipation and bowel leakage can feel frustrating, embarrassing, and difficult to talk about—but they're incredibly common, and effective treatment is available.

If you're experiencing:

• Constipation that lasts more than a few days at a time
• Frequent straining during bowel movements
• Difficulty completely emptying your bowels
• Trouble controlling gas
• Bowel leakage
• Symptoms that interfere with your daily life

it's a good time to discuss your concerns with a healthcare provider.

At Prosper, we provide a safe, private, and supportive environment where you can openly discuss your symptoms. We'll determine whether pelvic health physical therapy is the right treatment option and create a personalized plan to help you move better, feel better, and live better.

Whether your symptoms have just started or you've been living with bowel dysfunction for years, improvement is possible.

– Dr. Laney Romero