Bowel Dysfunction
Bowel Dysfunction
DIFFERENT DEFAECATORY PROBLEMS:
  • Faecal/fluid or flatus incontinence
  • Constipation

How physiotherapy will be able to help you:
  • Advice regarding correct fluid and fibre intake
  • Improve toileting posture and learning evacuation techniques - “Moo to Poop” https://youtu.be/QDk93cvZAuk?si=vo-rlxDVsBgUKrQn or blow a ballon with tummy relaxed.
  • Improve quality of the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor
  • Diaphragmatic breathing
  • Abdominal I LUV U massage
  • Balloon training
  • Biofeedback
Physiotherapy options
  • Multidisciplinary approach – referral to other professionals for advice and help to improve the outcome of a successful rehabilitation e.g. medical doctor for medication.
  • Pain physiology education
  • Peripheral and central nervous system desensitization strategies
  • Behavioural and lifestyle modifications.
  • Pelvic Floor and Pelvic Girdle Neuromuscular Re-education


Manual Therapy Techniques:

  • Pelvic Girdle alignment
  • Connective Tissue Manipulation
  • Myofascial release and myofascial trigger point release
  • Neural mobilizations
  • Joint mobilizations


TENS:
  • Trans Cutaneous Electrical Stimulation is a neuromodulation therapy where a low voltage electrical current is used to stimulating the nerves in the pelvic floor or lower back via an anal electrode to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle or to inhibit the detrusor overactivity.


Biofeedback:
  • Biofeedback tells you when your bladder and urethral muscles contract, to help you gain awareness and control of your urinary tract muscles.
  • This means that weak muscles can be better activated on demand, muscles that are too tense can be relaxed, and overall muscle activity can be coordinated.
  • Biofeedback can take different forms.
  • The physiotherapist's hand: can you squeeze your muscles round a finger.
  • Electromyography (EMG): electrical sensors are placed on the skin inside the anus to measure the electrical activity of your muscles at rest and when they contact. The reading is shown either on a graph or screen.


Home exercise program development to supplement in-office treatments:

  • Foam rolling
  • Pelvic floor muscle relaxation exercises
  • Diaphragmatic breathing
  • Scar mobilising
  • Stretching when appropriate
  • Strengthening if weak
  • Pelvic Wand uses to release pelvic floor tightness.