How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can Help with Constipation!
Constipation is a common problem that affects many people, regardless of age or gender. It can be caused by various factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, a low-fiber diet, certain medications, and even stress. While many people turn to laxatives or other medications to relieve constipation, pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is an effective, non-invasive treatment option that can help significantly to alleviate this problem.
What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on assessing and addressing the muscles of the pelvic floor and surrounding body areas. The pelvic floor muscles play a critical role in supporting the organs in the pelvic area, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Weakness, tightness, pain, or dysfunction in these muscles can lead to a range of problems, including urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, and constipation.
How Does Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Help with Constipation?
Constipation is often caused by a combination of factors, including a lack of fiber in the diet, dehydration, and poor bowel habits. However, in some cases, constipation can be caused by dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles help to control the movement of stool through the rectum and anus. When these muscles are not coordinating properly, holding too much tension, or have significant weakness, it can lead to difficulty passing stool and constipation.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help with constipation by addressing the underlying muscular issues. A trained pelvic floor physical therapist can assess the strength and function of the pelvic floor muscles and develop a customized treatment plan to address any tension, weaknesses, or imbalances.
The treatment plan may include a variety of techniques, including:
Pelvic floor muscle exercises: These exercises help with the re-coordination of the pelvic floor and anal sprinter muscles so you can properly have a bowel movement.
Relaxation techniques: Many people with constipation have tense pelvic floor muscles, which can make it harder to pass stool. Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and visualization, can help to reduce muscle tension and improve bowel function.
Lifestyle modifications: In addition to pelvic floor exercises, we may recommend lifestyle modifications to improve bowel function. This may include changes to diet, fluid intake, and bowel habits.
Manual therapy: Some patients may benefit from manual therapy techniques, such as massage or stretching, to address muscle tension or trigger points.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Constipation
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for constipation that has several key benefits. These include:
Non-invasive: Unlike laxatives or other medications, pelvic floor physical therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that does not have any side effects.
Long-term benefits: While laxatives provide temporary relief, pelvic floor physical therapy can provide long-term benefits by addressing the underlying muscular issues that contribute to constipation.
Personalized treatment: Each patient's treatment plan is customized to their specific needs, ensuring the most effective treatment possible.
Improved quality of life: Constipation can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, causing discomfort, pain, and embarrassment. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help to alleviate these symptoms, improving overall quality of life.
