Constipation can be debilitating and affect one's overall wellbeing. Although dietary or lifestyle modifications and drugs are often recommended to relieve the situation, pelvic floor therapy is also a viable option. This unique form of therapy focuses on the pelvic floor muscles, which may be the root cause of many problems. Let's discuss what the therapy is, and how it benefits people with constipation.

Constipation and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Constipation is characterized by a reduction in bowel movements, uncomfortable and challenging bowel movements, and the presence of hard dry stools. Chronic constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rectal prolapse.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a disorder where the muscles of the pelvic floor are unable to relax, resulting in decreased rectal distension due to the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is a set of muscles and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs, including the rectum and the bladder.

Pelvic Floor Therapy: A Specialized Treatment

It is a particular type of treatment that aims to alleviate pelvic floor dysfunction by reducing pelvic floor muscle stiffness and enhancing rectal distension. PFT is often recommended for patients who have pelvic floor dyssynergia or disorder that causes their defecation leading to constipation and other difficulties.

Biofeedback: The therapy uses sensors and a computer to help patients achieve conscious control of their pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic floor muscle workouts, often called Kegel exercises, are prescribed to patients to enhance their flexibility, to induce a bowel movement.

Manual Muscle Therapy: Manual muscle therapy is a technique that physical therapists use to release painful muscles. A pelvic floor physiotherapist might use internal and external massage to treat pelvic floor dysfunction.

Education and Behavioral Change: Education and behavior modification are essential components of pelvic floor therapy. Patients are instructed in optimal posture and other measures they should undertake while on the toilet. Besides, the patients receive training on the correct breathing patterns to induce relaxation and reduce the strain.

Electrostimulation: In some instances, electrostimulation is also utilized as an effective therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction. This innovative treatment is particularly useful when other methods have proven to be ineffective. Electrodes are attached to the patient's body during the procedure, delivering minute electric currents that cause the pelvic floor muscles to contract.

Evidence Behind Pelvic Floor Therapy

A growing amount of research has shown that the pelvic floor therapy is an effective treatment for chronic constipation caused by pelvic floor dyssynergia. According to a study published in the journal American Journal of Gastroenterology, patients with chronic constipation were able to improve significantly after receiving biofeedback therapy. Another study published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility found that pelvic floor rehabilitation, particularly pelvic floor exercises and biofeedback, was more successful than laxatives in treating chronic constipation.

Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy

Non-Invasiveness of the Therapy: Pelvic floor therapy is less invasive and has few side effects compared to other treatments such as surgery.

Improves Patients' Quality of Life: Pelvic floor therapy helps to improve the general quality of life of the patient as it reduces the strain caused by the disorder.

Treating Multiple Conditions Simultaneously: Pelvic floor therapy helps treat other conditions in addition to constipation such as incontinence, pelvic discomfort, and sexual dysfunction.

Tailored to the Needs of the Patients: Pelvic floor therapy can be tailored to the unique needs of the patient.

Who Can Benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy?

The therapy is beneficial for patients:

Who have pelvic floor dyssynergia

Who have had chronic constipation

Who have had difficulties with defecation or who have tried laxatives with little effect.

Who have rectal prolapse or intussusception

Who are pregnant or have delivered a child

Who are elderly

How to Begin Pelvic Floor Therapy?

A consultation is the first step in the process. The patient should arrange an appointment with a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, urologist, or pelvic floor physical therapist. Second, they should request a pelvic floor assessment. An exam to assess how well their pelvic floor functions might be performed. The next step is to develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for the individual. They will probably have to attend a few therapy sessions to learn the necessary skills. In addition, they should complete regular home exercises as part of their therapy regimen in order to achieve full recovery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pelvic floor therapy is an effective treatment for people suffering from constipation. The therapy is an effective method for treating pelvic floor dyssynergia because it utilizes a variety of treatments, including biofeedback. It is critical that patients suffering from chronic constipation discuss pelvic floor therapy with their physician since it can dramatically improve their quality of life if conventional treatments have proven to be ineffective.