Find Relief from Constipation with Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness
Constipation can be frustrating and uncomfortable, especially when it becomes a regular part of your daily life. You may experience difficulty having bowel movements, changes in your normal bowel habits, or other symptoms that leave you searching for relief. Physiotherapy can help address pelvic floor muscle function and other factors that may contribute to constipation. At Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness, our physiotherapists can help you better understand your symptoms and learn strategies that may support more comfortable and regular bowel movements. If you are experiencing constipation in South East Calgary, AB and North East Calgary, AB, we are here to help.
Chronic constipation can affect your quality of life and may contribute to missed work, increased medical costs, and ongoing frustration. Diet and hydration are important parts of bowel health, but constipation can also be influenced by a lack of physical activity, certain medical conditions, medications, hormonal changes, and difficulty coordinating the muscles involved in bowel movements.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Constipation?
Constipation can have many possible causes. Some common factors include:
- Lack of physical activity
- Neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
- Metabolic conditions, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism
- Hormonal changes
- Medications, including opioids, antidepressants, and antacids
- Changes in diet or fluid intake
- Difficulty coordinating the pelvic floor muscles during bowel movements
Making appropriate changes to your diet, staying hydrated, and maintaining regular physical activity can support healthy bowel function. Physiotherapy may also help when pelvic floor muscle strength or coordination is contributing to your symptoms.
How Can Physiotherapy Help With Constipation?
Your physiotherapist will take the time to understand your symptoms, bowel habits, daily activities, and goals. Treatment may focus on improving the strength and coordination of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.
Depending on your needs, your treatment may include:
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: Your physiotherapist can guide you through exercises designed to improve pelvic floor muscle strength and coordination when appropriate for your symptoms.
- Self-Massage: You may learn self-massage techniques that can be incorporated into your daily routine as part of your treatment.
- Targeted Stretching: Specific stretches may be used to support movement and help address factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback can improve your awareness of pelvic floor muscle activity and help you learn how to coordinate and relax these muscles more effectively during bowel movements.
- Lifestyle Education: Your physiotherapist can discuss strategies related to physical activity, hydration, and other daily habits that may support healthy bowel function.
What to Expect During Your Physiotherapy Sessions
Your first appointment will give you an opportunity to discuss what you have been experiencing in a comfortable and supportive environment. Your physiotherapist will ask questions about your bowel habits, symptoms, daily activities, and goals.
They can then assess factors that may be contributing to your constipation and help you develop a treatment plan based on your needs. Throughout your care, you will learn practical strategies that you can use as part of your daily routine.
Understanding When to Seek Additional Care
Constipation is common, but it can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Conditions such as colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease can affect bowel function. If your symptoms suggest that additional medical evaluation may be appropriate, your physiotherapist can help identify when you should speak with another healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take the Next Step Toward Better Bowel Health
You do not have to simply live with ongoing constipation. Physiotherapy may provide helpful strategies for addressing pelvic floor muscle function and other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms. If you are experiencing constipation in South East Calgary, AB or North East Calgary, AB, contact Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness to schedule an appointment and learn more about how physiotherapy may support your bowel health.
THE ABILITY WAY
Care That Starts With You
We believe your care should never be one-size-fits-all. Every plan is shaped around your story, your goals, and the way you want to move through life.
- One-on-one personalized care
- A plan built around your goals
- Hands-on treatment and movement support
- Education to support lasting progress
