Bowel Dysfunction and/or Pain
Symptoms of bowel dysfunction are:
- Constipation: bowel movements less than 3x per week
- Difficulty with evacuating
- Pain before, during or after a bowel movement
Bowel function is dependant upon the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to relax. For example, when Levator Ani muscles and/or the Anal Sphincter are tight or have myofacial trigger points (taut, painful band in the muscle or fascia), patients experience constipation, difficulty evacuating, or painful bowel movements.
Your physical therapist will normalize the tight muscles and tissue with manual therapy techniques. A home exercise program will be prescribed to you to facilitate recovery and maintain the gains made. Resolution of the musculoskeletal dysfunction will result in the elimination of your symptoms.
Disclaimer: The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center seeks to educate the community on musculoskeletal causes of pelvic pain. Specific medical advice and/or answers to your personal health questions will require a full examination by one of our physical therapists. This website is not intended to be a substitute for a medical evaluation, but rather as an educational resource.