Bowel issues are more common than most people realize — and they are highly treatable. At Pelvitone Physical Therapy in San Diego, we provide specialized pelvic floor physical therapy for constipation, bowel urgency, and bowel control concerns in adults and children.
The muscles that control bowel movements are part of the pelvic floor and deep core system. When they do not coordinate properly, people may strain, feel incomplete emptying, leak stool or gas, or experience persistent digestive discomfort.
Our treatment focuses on restoring normal muscle function rather than relying only on diet changes, laxatives, or medication.
Conditions We Treat
Constipation (Men, Women, and Children)
Constipation is often caused by pelvic floor muscles that cannot relax effectively during a bowel movement — called dyssynergic defecation.
Common symptoms include:
- Straining
- Hard or infrequent stools
- Feeling of incomplete emptying
- Needing excessive time in the bathroom
- Abdominal discomfort
- Reliance on laxatives
We provide constipation physical therapy that teaches proper coordination of the pelvic floor, breathing, and abdominal muscles to allow easier elimination.
Pediatric Constipation
Children frequently develop stool withholding habits after painful bowel movements. Over time, this disrupts normal muscle patterns.
We help children with:
- Stool withholding
- Accidents or streaking
- Painful bowel movements
- Fear of toileting
- Chronic constipation
Treatment is gentle, age-appropriate, and focuses on education, coordination training, and confidence building.
Fecal Incontinence
Loss of bowel control can occur after childbirth, surgery, aging, or long-term constipation. Pelvic floor rehabilitation improves strength and timing of the muscles responsible for continence.
Symptoms may include:
- Stool leakage
- Difficulty holding bowel movements
- Urgent bowel movements
- Accidents during activity
Many patients experience significant improvement with targeted pelvic floor therapy.
Flatulence (Gas) Incontinence
Difficulty controlling gas is often related to decreased pelvic floor coordination rather than weakness alone. Therapy focuses on improving reflexive muscle control and pressure management.
IBS & Bowel Urgency
For individuals with IBS, symptoms are not only digestive — they are also neuromuscular. The pelvic floor often becomes overactive or poorly coordinated, contributing to urgency and incomplete emptying.
Pelvic floor therapy can help by:
- Improving bowel control
- Reducing urgency
- Decreasing straining
- Supporting nervous system regulation
Our Treatment Approach
Your evaluation looks at breathing patterns, abdominal coordination, pelvic floor muscle function, and toileting habits.
Treatment may include:
- Pelvic floor muscle retraining
- Relaxation and coordination training
- Defecation mechanics education
- Abdominal and core therapy
- Behavioral and positioning strategies
- Pediatric-specific coaching when appropriate
We address the cause — not just the symptom — so bowel function becomes easier and more predictable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pelvic floor therapy effective for constipation?
Yes. Many cases of chronic constipation are muscle coordination problems rather than digestive problems.
Will treatment involve internal work?
Not always. Many bowel issues improve with external techniques, education, and coordination training.
How long does improvement take?
Patients often notice changes within a few visits, with continued improvement over several weeks.
Is this appropriate for children?
Yes. Pediatric pelvic floor therapy is safe and commonly recommended for functional constipation.