Bowel Issues
Bowel issues can be very distressing and difficult to talk about, but know that you are not alone. Physiotherapy can be very effective conservative treatment in helping you manage and improve your symptoms.
Common conditions
Faecal Incontinence
This is the loss of control of faeces, or gas from the back passage.
It can affect up to 1 in 10 people at some stage in their lives.
Faecal leakage may occur:
- with a sensation of urgency on the way to the toilet
- passively with or without sensation, or
- soiling in the underwear, after a bowel motion
It may be hard for you to ‘achieve clean’ after a bowel motion.
Did you know that constipation can actually cause faecal incontinence? Our body creates a mucous to move the hard build up of faecal matter which can overflow out and onto your underwear.
Obstructive Defaecation
May be due to constipation, incorrect pelvic floor muscle action (either overactive, poorly coordinated or excessively stretching), or bowel prolapse, causing a blockage.
Sally's approach to treatment
Physiotherapy will include some or all of the following:
- Assessment of your pelvic floor, fluids and basic fibre/dietary advice, stool consistency
- Morning routine, exercise, colon massage, defaecation training
- Coordinated muscular re-education, biofeedback, pelvic floor muscle retraining
- Electrical stimulation may be used if your pelvic floor muscles are very weak
- TENS may be indicated to help improve control
Further reading:
Continence NZ
IUGA Leaflets