Are you finding your time in the bathroom is getting to be a bit more uncomfortable? Has constipation caused problems for your bowel regularity? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans deal with bladder and bowel issues on a regular basis, but because of the seemingly sensitive nature of the topic, many of them don’t talk about their issues with a medical provider. Not only can that prolong discomfort, but sometimes it can make the underlying issue more difficult to treat because it has persisted for so long.
For example, there are a few different underlying factors that could be contributing to your persistent or infrequent constipation, and you may be surprised to learn that a physical therapist can be a great resource in helping you overcome the condition. In today’s blog, we explore how a physical therapist can help you put constipation issues in the past.
Constipation – A Common Problem
Constipation is a very common gastrointestinal disorder, as upwards of 2.5 million Americans seek treatment for constipation and constipation-related issues every year. The issue is more widespread than most imagine, so if you’re dealing with constipation, know that you are not alone and that many medical providers are well-versed in helping patients find the right type of treatment.
Constipation is categorized as delayed, infrequent or hard-to-pass bowel movements, and symptoms can persist for weeks or longer. The condition tends to be more common in women, older adults or those with mobility limitations like a physical disability, but it can also be brought on by other lifestyle factors, including:
- Dehydration
- Lack of regular exercise/movement
- Poor dietary choices
- Medication use
- Prolonged, unmanaged stress
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Underlying medical conditions
Managing Constipation With A Physical Therapist
You can wait weeks or months to see your primary care physician to discuss your bowel issues, or you can oftentimes get effective treatment much sooner by connecting with a physical therapist. We have the means to conduct a thorough assessment and really understand the factors that are behind your constipation. Once we’ve identified the culprits, we can get to work developing an individualized treatment plan.
When you work with a physical therapist to manage constipation, know that your treatment routine will be rooted in active pursuits. Even if medication use is the driving force behind your constipation, we’ll recommend additional treatments alongside medication management to yield the best results. Some ways we work with patients to help them overcome constipation issues include:
- Pelvic Floor Therapy – Targeted strengthening exercises can help to improve your core and your pelvic floor muscles, which can improve the way that food waste is passed through your digestive system.
- Posture Management – You may be surprised to learn how posture improvement, when you’re on the toilet or while you’re seated throughout the day, can have a positive or negative effect on your digestive system and your ability to move food through your bowels.
- Dietary Improvements – Working with clients to ensure they really understand which foods help to improve their digestive capabilities can lead to an improvement in symptoms, as can increasing their water intake to keep them hydrated.
- Stress Management – Teaching patients how to confront and overcome certain stressors in their life can make a major difference in their bowel habits. And while you can’t completely eliminate stress from your life, finding ways to manage it when it develops – through techniques such as yoga, relaxation training and deep breathing exercises – can go a long way in improving your bowel health and the overall health of your body.
- Boosting Activity Levels – Finally, we’ll work with you to develop a plan that sees you become more active in your daily life. You don’t need to become an ultra marathon runner, but if you make it a point to move and challenge your body with activity, we think you’ll find that your digestive system will have an easier time moving waste through your digestive tract. Becoming more active is a great way to combat the underlying causes of constipation.
Don’t live in discomfort any longer. Instead, talk with a physical therapist about your bowel issues and let us get you back to being comfortable in the bathroom. For more information, or to book your first appointment, give the team at OrthoRehab Specialists a call today at (612) 339-2041.