Pelvic floor physiotherapy involves various techniques for retraining the pelvic muscles. This therapy can be used to treat both men and women, who are experiencing any of the following: incontinence, constipation, difficulty with urination or bowel movements, chronic pelvic pain, and painful intercourse.
A treatment called bowel retraining may sometimes be recommended by a continence specialist.
This is a treatment programme that involves things like:
Biofeedback therapy for functional gut issues involves the use of a range of treatment methods depending on symptoms to help improve bowel emptying and/or control. It is usually a combination of behavioural training, learning how to empty the bowel correctly, diet changes, pelvic floor training and can incorporate the use of neuromuscular or biofeedback devices. For some it may also involve trans anal irrigation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and emotional support.
Biofeedback therapy at OneWelbeck with Lucy Allen our Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and Biofeedback specialist can include a variety of treatments such as:
- Education – in depth understanding on the diagnosis, function specific to the patient’s problem
- Behavioural training – mind-gut axis
- Defecation dynamics
- Dietary advice and management
- Rectal Balloon Expulsion treatment for rectal sensation rehab
- Trans anal irrigation taught and supplied
- Deferment training/Urge resistance
- Pelvic floor training
- Myofascial and Trigger Point release therapy
- Graded Motor Imagery
- Pain education/management
- Neuromuscular stimulation
- Machine based Biofeedback Therapy
- Emotional support/resilience
- Basic Pharmacotherapy
- Lifestyle modification
- Containment products – renew inserts/coloplast plugs
- PTNS
- A Behavioural treatment strategy incorporating a holistic assessment of both the physical and psychological aspects to the person’s presentation.
What you can do yourself
Exercise
Staying active plays a key role in your overall health - including how well your pelvic floor functions. Regular movement helps keep everything working as it should.
Diet
A balanced diet is essential, especially if you’re dealing with constipation. Straining on the toilet can weaken your pelvic floor over time. Increasing both fibre and water intake can help improve bowel function and reduce the need to strain. Take a moment to consider your current eating habits and where you could make small improvements.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
If you’re noticing leakage or a general sense of weakness - whether it’s bladder or bowel-related - pelvic floor exercises can help.
Start by tightening your back passage as if you're holding in wind. Imagine lifting that sensation upwards and forwards, like you’re also trying to hold in a wee.
Hold the contraction for up to 10 seconds, relax for 5 seconds, and repeat 10 times - do this three times a day. It usually takes around 12 weeks of consistent practice to see significant improvements.
Stress
Chronic, low-level stress can contribute to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction. It may trigger changes in bladder or bowel habits. Take some time to reflect on any sources of stress in your life and explore ways to better manage them.
Speaking Out
Changes in bladder or bowel function, or pelvic pain, are not normal - even if they’re common. Talk to a healthcare professional, whether it’s your GP or a pelvic health physiotherapist. Getting support early can make a big difference.
Find out more about how to improve your pelvic floor with biofeedback treatment.
