Constipation is a frustrating and often uncomfortable issue that many people deal with, sometimes for years, without finding a lasting solution. Diet changes and exercise may provide some relief, but are often not enough to truly solve the problem.
It is possible to find natural relief using a variety of methods, including pelvic floor physical therapy for constipation.
What is constipation, and how is it related to the pelvic floor?
Constipation is more than just infrequent bowel movements. It can mean hard or dry stools, straining during bowel movements, feelings of incomplete movements, or bloating and discomfort – and often a combination of these. Constipation can happen occasionally or can be chronic, and can lead to painful issues like hemorrhoids.
While constipation is often thought of as an issue with a patient’s diet, pelvic floor dysfunction can also be a contributing factor.
When the pelvic floor muscles are in proper balance, they support the bladder, rectum, and other pelvic organs. They contract and relax in coordination with your abdominal muscles to allow for smooth and complete bowel movements.
When pelvic floor dysfunction is present and the pelvic floor muscles are too tight, weak, or uncoordinated, this leads to difficulty moving waste through the intestines properly. While constipation looks like the culprit, it is often actually a symptom of another issue – pelvic floor dysfunction.
Natural solutions for constipation
Natural ways to improve your constipation symptoms may include:
- Dietary changes – eating more fiber-rich and plant-based foods can assist in providing bulk and hydration; fruits and vegetables can’t be beat here.
- Stay well hydrated – hydration is important for so many body functions, including this one. Be sure to drink an appropriate amount of water for your body each day.
- Try a new position – using a stepstool under the feet to elevate the knees while on the toilet allows the body to assume a squat position, which naturally encourages easier bowel movements.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy for constipation – treating pelvic floor dysfunction is, in many cases, treating the root cause of constipation. A trained pelvic floor physical therapist will explore causes and lifestyle factors that may be contributing as part of treatment.
Treating constipation with pelvic floor physical therapy
Your physical therapist will use a number of treatments to help you get lasting relief from constipation. These may include:
- Manual therapy and relaxation training – using hands-on techniques and biofeedback, your therapist will encourage muscles to relax or strengthen as needed. You will also learn diaphragmatic breathing and other exercises to relax your muscles and allow them to function more appropriately.
- Abdominal massage and mobility – at times, the muscles involved include more than just the pelvic floor. Gentle stretches, massage, and mobility work in the hips and lower back may benefit the patient, depending on their needs.
- Behavior and lifestyle coaching – together with your physical therapist, you will explore eating and exercise habits, stress management, body mechanics, and more. Much of what happens outside the bathroom affects what happens inside the bathroom. Your physical therapist may make suggestions for increasing fiber intake or hydration, meaningful exercises that can be completed daily, changes in toilet habits, and more for a complete, whole-body approach to treating your constipation.
Should I consider pelvic floor physical therapy for constipation?
You may benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy for constipation if you:
- Regularly strain during bowel movements
- Feel like you can’t fully empty your bowels
- Experience pain or discomfort when using the bathroom
- Have previously been diagnosed with pelvic floor physical therapy and are experiencing constipation
- Have attempted other treatments for constipation which have not been successful
If you’ve given birth, had pelvic surgery, or experienced pelvic trauma in addition to any of the factors listed above, is it especially worth considering.
Get lasting relief from constipation with physical therapy
While constipation can be difficult to talk about (and worse to experience), there are answers. If you’ve been living with constipation and the frustration of treatments not working, speak to a pelvic floor physical therapist. By addressing the root muscular cause of this dysfunction, you can experience a world of difference in your symptoms and find the lasting relief you’ve been looking for.
Body Restoration Physical Therapy is conveniently located in Roslyn Heights, New York. Contact us today to learn more.