Symptoms of Constipation
- Straining or pushing hard to have a bowel movement
- Feeling like you’re not fully emptying
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
- Bloating or abdominal discomfort
- Needing to use your fingers or body positioning to help pass stool
- Fewer than three bowel movements per week
If these symptoms sound familiar, pelvic floor physical therapy can help improve your ability to pass bowels effectively, by retraining your muscles, addressing water and fiber intake, lack of physical movement, and environmental factors – just to name a few.
How Your Pelvic Floor Can Cause Constipation
When the pelvic floor muscles are too tight or don’t coordinate well, they can make it difficult to fully relax when you need to have a bowel movement. This can lead to straining, incomplete emptying, and the constant feeling that you still need to go.
Over time, this can make your constipation worse, creating a cycle of discomfort. If your constipation isn’t improving with diet or hydration, your pelvic floor might be the issue.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
- Increase awareness of how your body signals the need for a bowel movement.
- Address any tightness or dysfunction contributing to constipation.
- Learn how to properly relax your pelvic floor when going to the bathroom.
- Improve coordination between your abdominal and pelvic muscles.
- Reduce straining and discomfort.
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What to Expect During Your Sessions
During Your Initial Appointment
We’ll then conduct a thorough physical assessment, focusing on the areas causing discomfort, including the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. This is a hands-on evaluation from head to toe. It will most likely involve evaluating external and internal pelvic floor muscles, with the purpose being to trace your issue to its source(s) in order to reduce your discomfort and/or symptoms related to constipation.
These internal manual techniques are applied to the structures of the pelvis. This includes the pelvic floor muscles, nerves, and bones. We also want you to be as comfortable as possible during the session – you always have the right to refuse treatment at any time without explanation.
During Your Additional Appointments
Client Testimonials
Beyond Basics: We Can Help
Since 2003, Beyond Basics has been a place of hope and healing for our patients. We believe skilled and compassionate healing can restore your body’s harmony and balance. Founder, Amy Stein, and co-founder, Corey Hazama are renowned experts and leaders in pelvic floor PT.
The skilled physical therapists at Beyond Basics receive extensive training to qualify them to be the world’s leaders in pelvic floor rehabilitation. All of our therapists have been carefully selected to work at Beyond Basics because they possess the right expertise, kindness, and empathy to allow them to excel at our practice. Our therapists have completed hundreds of additional hours outside of their doctorates both internally and externally through institutes such as Herman and Wallace and the American Physical Therapy Association, to help hone their practice and provide exceptional treatment efficiently and compassionately. In addition to being the world’s first and foremost experts in pelvic floor dysfunction, our individual therapists have cultivated additional skills unique to their own personal interests. Read more about each one of our therapists here.
Get help now from a pelvic floor therapist for constipation.
Constipation
— Beyond Basics PT | Pelvic Floor Therapy NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my constipation is related to my pelvic floor?
Can pelvic floor therapy help if diet and lifestyle changes haven’t worked?
Yes! Many people try diet and lifestyle changes, like increasing fiber and drinking more water, but still experience constipation symptoms. If your digestive system isn’t functioning properly due to tight or uncoordinated pelvic muscles, therapy can help retrain these muscles to make bowel movements easier and more consistent.
Do I need bowel function tests before starting pelvic floor therapy?
Not necessarily. A healthcare professional might recommend bowel function tests if they suspect a deeper issue with your digestive tract, but many cases of constipation can be evaluated and treated through physical therapy without additional testing. If needed, your therapist can work alongside your doctor to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
Is pelvic floor therapy an alternative to stimulant laxatives?
Yes, and it could even help you rely on them less. Stimulant laxatives force the digestive tract to contract, which can sometimes make bowel habits unpredictable. Pelvic floor therapy teaches your body how to naturally coordinate bowel movements, helping you treat constipation without long-term medication use.
Can constipation be connected to other digestive diseases?
Yes, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other digestive diseases can contribute to constipation. However, even if you have a digestive condition, improving pelvic floor muscle function can still help prevent constipation and make bowel movements easier.
What if I have rectal prolapse? Can pelvic floor therapy still help?
Rectal prolapse happens when part of the rectum slips out of place, which is often due to chronic straining or weakened pelvic muscles. Pelvic floor therapy can strengthen these muscles and improve bowel movements, potentially reducing your symptoms.
Can certain medications cause constipation?
Yes, some medications, like blood pressure medicines, can slow down the digestive system and make your bowel movements less frequent. If you suspect your medication is affecting your digestion, talk to a health care professional before making changes. Pelvic floor physical therapy can still help treat constipation by improving muscle coordination.
