Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy: Helping Kids Build Confidence and Comfort

Fundamental Physical Therapy
Oct 10
3 min read

Updated: Oct 13

When kids struggle with toileting, constipation, or bladder control, it can affect more than their physical comfort — it can impact confidence, school participation, and social interactions. The good news? Pediatric pelvic floor therapy can help children gain control, comfort, and confidence through fun, supportive, and evidence-based care.

Here’s how this specialized form of physical therapy for kids can make a difference.

1. Toilet Training Issues

If your child is having daytime accidents or struggles with toilet training, it can be frustrating for both of you. Daytime urine or stool leaks often disrupt learning, cause embarrassment, and limit social activities.

A pediatric pelvic floor physical therapist helps kids understand their bodies and improve awareness and control of the muscles used for peeing and pooping. Through gentle exercises, play-based learning, and family education, children can overcome these challenges — often faster than you’d expect.

A calm, stress free bathroom experience helps everyone relax — Toileting struggles can be stressful for the whole family - Let PT help!

2. Constipation in Kids

Constipation is one of the most common reasons families seek pelvic floor therapy for children. When stool is hard or painful to pass, kids may start to withhold bowel movements, leading to a cycle of discomfort and fear.

Common signs of constipation include:

Stomach aches or abdominal bloating
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
“Skid marks” in underwear
Pain or straining during bowel movements

A pediatric pelvic floor therapist works with families to relieve constipation through posture training, abdominal massage, breathing exercises, and dietary guidance. These strategies help kids have comfortable, regular bowel movements and reduce anxiety around toileting.

3. Bed Wetting (Nocturnal Enuresis)

Bed wetting can be stressful for kids and parents alike, but it’s rarely just about deep sleep or habit. Pediatric pelvic floor therapy for bed wetting can identify contributing factors such as constipation, poor bladder coordination, or even breathing challenges.

By improving muscle awareness, bladder habits, and core control, physical therapy can help reduce or eliminate nighttime accidents — all without shame or punishment.

Boy climbing out of his bed to start the day — Learning to be dry at night is a huge skill for kids to learn. Sometimes they need a little help along the way!

4. Bladder Leakage with Activity

If your child leaks urine when they cough, sneeze, run, jump, or laugh, they may be experiencing stress urinary incontinence — yes, even kids can have it!

Pediatric bladder leakage therapy focuses on strengthening and coordinating the pelvic floor and core muscles. With guidance from a skilled pelvic floor physical therapist, children can return to sports, play, and laughter without worry.

What Happens During Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Parents are often surprised to learn how playful and empowering pelvic floor physical therapy for children can be. Sessions are tailored to your child’s age and comfort level, and may include:

Breathing and relaxation techniques
Core strengthening and balance training
Gentle movement and posture work
Dietary and hydration guidance
Behavior and toileting habit training
Pelvic floor awareness and coordination activities

Therapists use kid-friendly language, visual aids, and games to make therapy engaging and stress-free. The goal is always to build body awareness, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits.

Why Choose Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pediatric pelvic floor therapy addresses more than just symptoms — it helps children and families understand the “why” behind toileting difficulties. With expert guidance, most kids experience major improvements in just a few weeks.

If your child struggles with:

Toilet training delays
Constipation or painful bowel movements
Bed wetting or nighttime accidents
Bladder leakage during activity

— a pediatric pelvic floor physical therapist can help.

Get Help from a Pediatric Pelvic Floor Specialist

At Fundamental Physical Therapy, we’re passionate about helping kids feel confident, comfortable, and capable. Our team provides individualized care for children of all ages in a supportive, fun environment.

🌟 Physical therapy can help your child thrive!