Bowel & Bladder Physical Therapy: Regaining Comfort, Confidence, and Control

Let’s be honest — talking about bathroom habits isn’t easy. But if you’re dealing with constipation, leakage, or bladder urgency, you’re far from alone. These issues can be frustrating, embarrassing, and even life-altering. The good news? You don’t have to live with them.

At Fundamental Physical Therapy, we help women and children address bowel and bladder dysfunctions through specialized pelvic physical therapy — restoring strength, awareness, and confidence so you can live fully and freely again.

🌿 Understanding Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction

Your pelvic floor muscles are responsible for more than just core stability. They play a key role in supporting your organs, maintaining control of your bladder and bowels, and coordinating pressure and movement throughout your body.

When these muscles or surrounding tissues become tight, weak, or uncoordinated, you might experience:

• Urinary leakage or urgency

• Constipation or incomplete emptying

• Frequent nighttime urination

• Hesitancy or straining to urinate

• Bloating, pelvic pain, or discomfort

These symptoms can happen at any age — from children learning to use the toilet to adults experiencing postpartum changes or age-related muscle shifts.

💬 “Is This Normal?” and Other Common Questions

You might wonder if what you’re experiencing is just “part of getting older” or “what happens after kids.” The truth? It’s common, but it’s not normal — and it’s treatable.

Here are a few questions I hear often:

“How does physical therapy help with bowel and bladder problems?”

Pelvic physical therapists are trained to identify tension, weakness, or coordination issues in the pelvic floor muscles, connective tissue, and nerves. We use a combination of manual therapy, muscle retraining, breathing techniques, and education to restore normal function.

“Do I need an internal exam?”

Not necessarily. While an internal evaluation can provide helpful insight, it’s always your choice. You’ll be fully informed and supported every step of the way.

“Can I come if I’m on my period?”

Absolutely. We’ll adjust treatment as needed, but your comfort always comes first.

“Are Kegels good for everyone?”

No! If your pelvic floor is too tight or uncoordinated, traditional Kegels may make symptoms worse. Pelvic PT helps you learn when to relax, when to strengthen, and how to do both effectively.

🩺 What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment isn’t rushed — it’s a conversation.

We’ll talk about your history, symptoms, and goals, then perform a full-body assessment to see how your posture, breathing, and muscle coordination are influencing your symptoms.

If appropriate and with your consent, we may include a gentle internal exam (without speculums or stirrups!) to better understand how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. This information helps design a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

By the end of your session, you’ll understand what’s happening in your body — and exactly how we’ll address it together.

💩 The Scoop on Poop: Understanding Constipation at Any Age

Constipation is one of the most common reasons people seek pelvic physical therapy — and it affects everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

What Is Constipation?

Constipation can mean infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, straining, or feeling like you haven’t fully emptied. Even if you go every day, you may still be constipated if stool remains backed up in the colon.

It’s incredibly common:

• 16% of adults experience chronic constipation.

• Up to 30% of children are affected.

• It’s the leading cause of bedwetting in kids.

Common Signs Include:

• Bloating or belly discomfort

• Excess gas or loss of appetite

• Urinary urgency or infections

• Large stools that clog the toilet

• Skid marks or stool accidents in children

Causes of Constipation

For Kids:

• Not enough fluids or fiber

• Fear of toilets or painful bowel movements

• Stress or potty-training too early

• Lack of activity

For Adults:

• Low-fiber diet or dehydration

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Hormonal changes or medications

• Chronic tension — especially in the pelvic floor

🧘‍♀️ How Physical Therapy Helps

Pelvic PT isn’t just for muscles — it supports digestion and bowel regularity, too.

Treatment may include:

• Abdominal massage to stimulate bowel movement

• Breathing and relaxation techniques to improve gut motility

• Core and posture retraining to support optimal alignment

• Toilet positioning education (yes, your posture matters!)

• Pelvic floor awareness training — learning to coordinate relaxation and contraction

For children, therapy might look like playful exercises, games, and biofeedback that help them connect body awareness with bowel control — all in a positive, encouraging environment.

💧 Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Many patients come to me after years of living with symptoms — leaks, urgency, or constipation that slowly became part of their daily lives. One of my patients, for example, dealt with bladder leakage during workouts for six years before finally seeking help. Just four sessions later, she was jumping and laughing without a single leak.

Delaying treatment allows symptoms to become habits — in your muscles and your mind. The sooner you address them, the faster your body can relearn balance and control.

❤️ The Bottom Line (Pun Intended)

Bathroom issues are personal, but you’re not alone — and you don’t have to suffer in silence.Whether you’re helping your child through potty-training challenges or navigating your own bowel or bladder dysfunction, pelvic physical therapy can make a life-changing difference.

🌼 Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re tired of leaks, urgency, or constipation controlling your life, it’s time to take control back.