Is your Bowel Causing You Problems - YOU Are Not Alone — And There Is Help - How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Transform Your Bowel Health www.invictuspelvichealth.com

Let's talk about — bowel health. If you've ever struggled with constipation, felt like you can never fully empty, resorted to splinting (using your fingers to help things along), experienced stool that just won't wipe clean, or unexpected leakage. If you have fissures or haemorrhoids which may be active or falling out of your bottom when you strain, or you feel like there is poo there but nothing comes out - this information is for you.

It’s important for you to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! These issues may feel embarrassing but they are incredibly common. Many people are living with bowel difficulties that are silently affecting their confidence, daily routines and quality of life. What many people don't know is that Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can offer a confidential consultation, advice on bowel management and relief from finally sharing your problems and doing something about them.

Why Is My Bowel Behaving Like This?

The pelvic floor muscles play a central role in how your bowel functions. They need to stay well toned so that you keep continent or wind and stool, they need to relax and open for you to pass stool and wind and they need to shut again after!!

What the rest of your body does also affects your bowels including posture, breathing, movement, digestive health, diet and fluid intake. When the pelvic floor muscles and the rest of the body are not working in a coordinated way, symptoms arise and can be challenging to manage without help.

An overactive or uncoordinated pelvic floor is very common. Rather than relaxing to allow a bowel movement to pass, the muscles tighten or grip, likened to squeezing the toothpaste out with the cap still on — making it difficult, uncomfortable or even impossible to go. This can leave you straining, spending far too long on the loo, or feeling as though you've only partly emptied.

Incomplete emptying is something we hear about constantly in clinic, that feeling that the poo is stuck or that you haven't quite finished a bowel movement

Splinting — using your fingers to press on the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus) or inside the vagina to help push stool out — is something many people do.

Difficulty wiping clean after a bowel movement — often because stool gets 'stuck' or smears — causes distress and affects a person's sense of hygiene, intimacy and self-worth.

Bowel incontinence — can be urgency when you can't always get to the toilet in time for, or unexpected leakage

What Can Pelvic Physiotherapy Do for My Bowel?

At Invictus Pelvic Health, we take a holistic, whole-person approach to pelvic health. We understand that bowel symptoms are connected to your nervous system, posture, breathing, stress levels, lifestyle and history. That is why our assessments and treatment plans are always individually tailored to you.

When you come to see us, we will take the time to listen to what you are experiencing. We will carry out a thorough pelvic health assessment and work with you to understand the root causes of your symptoms.

Depending on your individual needs, your treatment plan may include:

•        Pelvic floor muscle retraining — learning to relax and coordinate your pelvic floor, not just strengthen it

•        Bowel retraining and toilet habits — positioning, breathing and techniques to make bowel movements easier and more complete

•        Dietary and hydration advice to support gut and bowel health

•        Breathwork and nervous system regulation to help calm an overactive system

•        Manual therapy and massage techniques where appropriate

•        Posture and movement guidance

•        Practical strategies to manage urgency and reduce incontinence

•        Onward referral to your GP or specialists where needed

We know that coming to talk about bowel symptoms can feel daunting. Many of our patients tell us they waited months or even years before seeking help — worrying it was 'too embarrassing' or that nothing could be done. We want you to know that we genuinely love helping people to find a pathway to improving and managing their symptoms.

Ready to Take the First Step?

We would love to hear from you. Whether you'd like to book an initial consultation or just have a no-obligation chat to find out more, please get in touch with the Invictus Pelvic Health team. Both Nicki and Nina have extensive experience treating bowel conditions and Nina has further experience with late effects after cancer treatment.

Find us at:

📍 Brinkworth House, nr Malmesbury/Chippenham, SN15 5DF  or at

Ashcroft Practice, Cirencester, GL7 1QX

📞 07379 499756  |  📧  info@invictuspelvichealth.com

🌐 www.invictuspelvichealth.com  |  Follow us on Facebook: InvictusPelvicHealth

Book online at Brinkworth or Ashcroft via the website.

 

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