Constipation & Bowel Dysfunction Physiotherapy
Constipation and bowel dysfunction are common pelvic health concerns that can affect comfort, confidence, and daily life. Symptoms are often long-standing, under-discussed, and mistakenly managed with diet changes alone - yet for many people, pelvic floor dysfunction plays a significant role.
At Fit 2 Function Allied Health, our expert pelvic health physiotherapists provide evidence-based assessment and treatment to address the underlying contributors to constipation and bowel symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.
What is bowel dysfunction?
Bowel dysfunction refers to difficulty with stool passage, control, or coordination of the bowel and pelvic floor muscles. It may present as constipation, incomplete emptying, urgency, or difficulty controlling wind or stool.
Common symptoms include:
-
Infrequent bowel motions
-
Hard, dry, or difficult‑to‑pass stools
-
Straining or prolonged time on the toilet
-
A sensation of incomplete emptying
-
The need to splint or apply pressure to empty
-
Bloating or abdominal discomfort
-
Urgency or difficulty controlling bowel motions
These symptoms can occur at any age and may be associated with pregnancy, childbirth, pelvic surgery, menopause, chronic pain conditions, or long‑standing toileting habits.
How the pelvic floor and abdominal wall are involved
Effective bowel emptying relies on co‑ordination between the abdominal wall, diaphragm, rectum, and pelvic floor muscles.
Bowel dysfunction may occur when:
-
Pelvic floor muscles are overactive or unable to relax during defecation (often called dyssynergic defecation)
-
There is reduced awareness of correct bearing‑down strategies
-
Abdominal wall activation is inefficient or poorly timed
-
Previous pain, trauma, or surgery has altered movement patterns
In these cases, strengthening alone is not the solution - down‑training, coordination, and education are often key.
What happens in a pelvic health physiotherapy assessment?
Your assessment is private, respectful, and tailored to your comfort level. It may include:
-
A detailed discussion of bowel habits, diet, fluid intake, and toileting routines
-
Assessment of breathing patterns and abdominal wall function
-
Postural and movement assessment
-
Pelvic floor muscle assessment (internal or external, only with your consent)
-
Identification of contributing factors such as prolapse, pain, or muscle over‑activity
From this, we develop a personalised management plan focused on restoring efficient, pain‑free bowel function.
When to seek further medical review
We may recommend medical review alongside physiotherapy if there are red flags such as:
-
Unexplained weight loss
-
Blood in the stool
-
Severe or worsening pain
-
Sudden change in bowel habits without a clear cause
Physiotherapy complements - not replaces - appropriate medical investigation.
Physiotherapy treatment for constipation & bowel dysfunction
Management is active, practical, and individualised, and may include:
Pelvic floor down‑training and coordination
-
Learning how to fully relax the pelvic floor during bowel emptying
-
Improving timing between breath, abdominal wall activation, and pelvic floor movement
- Manual therapy to assist in releasing & relaxation strategies for Pelvic Floor Muscles
Breathing and abdominal wall strategies
-
Optimising diaphragmatic breathing
-
Improving abdominal wall support without excessive bracing
-
Teaching effective, non‑straining defecation mechanics
Toileting posture and habit retraining
-
Evidence‑based toileting positions to reduce straining
-
Establishing consistent bowel routines
-
Reducing reliance on excessive pushing or laxatives where appropriate
Education and lifestyle support
-
Guidance around fibre and fluid intake (in collaboration with your GP or dietitian if required)
-
Understanding the gut–pelvic floor connection
-
Strategies to manage symptoms during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause
Physiotherapy works best as part of a whole‑person approach, and we liaise with your GP or specialist where needed.
How we support bowel health at Fit2Function
Our pelvic health physiotherapists:
-
Take a respectful, non‑judgemental approach
-
Address both muscle coordination and lifestyle contributors
-
Focus on long‑term bowel health, not quick fixes
-
Provide practical strategies you can use immediately
Book a pelvic health assessment
If constipation or bowel dysfunction is affecting your comfort or quality of life, help is available.
Book a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Assessment to better understand your symptoms and develop a clear, personalised plan.
Learn more about women’s pelvic health & physiotherapy
Explore our other pelvic health condition pages to understand evidence-based assessment, rehabilitation, and life-stage–specific care:
Urinary Incontinence | Pelvic Organ Prolapse | Overactive Bladder & Urgency | Pelvic Pain | Pregnancy Physiotherapy | Birth Preparation | Postpartum Recovery | Constipation & Bowel Dysfunction
Our expert pelvic health physiotherapists provide private, individualised care focused on restoring comfort, confidence, and long-term pelvic health across pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
