Pittsburgh Bowel Problems

Bowel issues like chronic constipation, straining, incomplete emptying, and fecal incontinence are often caused by pelvic floor dysfunction. When the muscles that coordinate bowel movements stop working in sync, the pelvic floor can actually tighten and clamp shut during a bowel movement instead of relaxing. This is called dyssynergic defecation. Other contributors include nerve irritation, scar tissue from childbirth, and weakened sphincter muscles. At Form and Function Pelvic Health in Pittsburgh, our therapists specialize in identifying the root cause of these patterns so you can finally get relief.

Bowel difficulties after childbirth are incredibly common, but they are not something Pittsburgh moms have to just live with. Vaginal delivery, especially with tearing, an episiotomy, or a long pushing phase, can strain or damage the pelvic floor muscles and sphincter. This can lead to constipation, trouble emptying, urgency, or stool leakage. Many moms deal with these issues for months or even years postpartum without realizing that specialized pelvic floor physical therapy can help. Form and Function Pelvic Health works with postpartum women throughout the Pittsburgh area to restore bowel function and confidence.

Dyssynergic defecation happens when the colon contracts to push stool out, but the pelvic floor muscles tighten at the same time instead of relaxing. The result is a functional blockade. Research suggests this is behind a significant portion of chronic constipation cases, and simply adding more fiber or water usually does not fix it. The team at Form and Function Pelvic Health is trained to help you properly coordinate and relax these muscles so bowel movements feel natural again.

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control when you have a bowel movement. It ranges from small leakage to a complete loss of bowel control, and it is often linked to weakened or poorly coordinated pelvic floor muscles and sphincters. In many cases, it can be treated effectively without surgery through pelvic floor physical therapy, including muscle retraining and lifestyle guidance. Surgery is generally only considered when conservative care has not worked. Form and Function Pelvic Health offers compassionate, discreet care for Pittsburgh moms dealing with this condition.

Reach out to Form and Function Pelvic Health if you experience any of the following: straining on the toilet, feeling like you can never fully empty, chronic constipation, painful bowel movements, a sudden urgent need to use the bathroom, or any stool leakage. These symptoms respond well to targeted pelvic floor treatment, and you do not need to wait until they get severe. The sooner you seek care, the more options you have.

A pelvic floor physical therapist at Form and Function Pelvic Health will assess the coordination, strength, and flexibility of your pelvic floor muscles, figure out whether your muscles are too tight or too weak, and look at your positioning and toileting habits. Treatment may include manual therapy, breathing techniques, education on optimal toilet positioning, and exercises tailored to your specific pattern of dysfunction. This whole-person approach addresses the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.

Pennsylvania is a direct access state, meaning you can typically see a pelvic floor physical therapist without a physician’s referral for an initial evaluation. If you have been struggling with bowel symptoms, you do not need to wait for your primary care doctor to bring it up. You can contact Form and Function Pelvic Health in Pittsburgh directly to get started.