Physiotherapists trained in pelvic health can assist with treatment and management of constipation. Some of the things we may help you address include:

• Stool consistency – having the right softness of your stool helps you to pass the bowel motion (poo) more easily. 

• Defecation dynamics (how you actually do your poo) – making sure you are in the best position on the toilet, and knowing how to properly relax your pelvic floor muscles whilst pooing is important in being able to poo most easily. 

• Recognising when you need to poo (often called ‘urge’ or ‘call to stool’) – because of the reflexes involved, it is important to go to the toilet to do your poo when your body first tells you to. In some people with longstanding constipation, this sensation is harder to recognise. There are also tips and tricks we can use to encourage this urge, or predict when it might occur so that you can be close to a toilet when the urge happens. 

• Prolapse management – if there is a posterior wall prolapse this can make it difficult to empty all of the poo out of the rectum when going to the toilet. It may feel like you have not fully emptied, even after having finished your poo. 

So whilst constipation is common and unpleasant, help is at hand. Our physiotherapists trained in pelvic health can help you get your bowel motions under control.