Bowel Dysfunction Physical Therapy in Edina, MN
Bowel dysfunction, including chronic constipation, fecal incontinence, and incomplete emptying, is treatable with specialized pelvic floor physical therapy. Dr. Bethany Hansen, DPT provides one-on-one care in the Minneapolis area, serving patients across the Twin Cities.
Bowel issues can be embarrassing to talk about but in pelvic floor physical therapy, there’s no such thing as “TMI”! Here are some of the problems that people can get help for with pelvic floor physical therapy:
Constipation: infrequent or difficult bowel movements, straining to poop
Anal or Rectal Pain
Hemorrhoids
Anal Fissures: a small crack or tear in the lining of the anus, causing pain and/or bleeding with bowel movements
Problems Emptying Bowels
Painful Bowel Movements
Bowel Leakage/Fecal Incontinence or Smearing
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Rectal Prolapse: the rectum turns inside out and protrudes through the anus
Rectocele: the rectum bulges into the vaginal wall, creating a “bulge” in the vagina. It can cause difficulty emptying stool and some people have to “splint” to empty - inserting a finger in the vagina and pushing backward against the back vaginal wall.
Treatments vary depending on your individual symptoms and goals but often include bowel health education, manual therapy, self-management strategies, breathing and relaxation exercises, strength/endurance exercises, education, and/or nervous system regulation training.
“Bethany has guided me through my challenges with SIBO in addition to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. She is a great listener, problem solver, professional, patient and courteous to address your needs. I highly recommend her.” -S.W.
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