Bladder/Bowel Dysfunction in Greenville

Bladder/Bowel Dysfunction Services in Greenville

Do you suffer from bowel conditions like constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence? Do you experience pelvic pain or discomfort that disrupts your daily life? At Body Works Women’s Health & Wellness, we understand how debilitating these symptoms can be. Our skilled physical therapists specialize in treating bowel dysfunction through customized therapy plans to help you regain control and live life to the fullest.

A Proven Approach to Improving Bowel Function

Bowel conditions often develop gradually over time due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that support pelvic organs like the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs. When these muscles become strained or damaged, you may experience:

• Constipation or difficulty passing stools
• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Leakage of stool, mucus, or gas (fecal incontinence)
• Pelvic pain or cramping

These symptoms can negatively impact your quality of life. You may feel embarrassed, anxious about accidents, or avoid activities altogether. The good news is that pelvic floor physical therapy can help.

Our experienced physical therapists design customized treatment plans that include manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises. These directly target the pelvic floor muscles and nerves to:

• Improve muscle coordination and strength
• Reduce spasms and trigger point sensitivity
• Promote proper bowel motility and functioning
• Alleviate pelvic pain and discomfort

In contrast to medication or surgery, pelvic floor therapy is non-invasive and drug-free. It also addresses the root causes of dysfunction by retraining muscles for long-lasting results. Over 90% of patients see significant improvement in just 4-6 weeks.

Who Can Benefit from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy is suitable for both men and women experiencing bowel disorders, including:

• Chronic constipation or straining
• Loose stool or bowel incontinence
• Pelvic pain or cramping
• Discomfort during bowel movements
• Leakage of mucus or gas
• Tailbone pain
• Hemorrhoids

You may also benefit if you’ve recently given birth, had pelvic surgery, suffer from a nerve disorder, or have a medical condition like:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Endometriosis
• Prostate issues
• Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic dysfunction can occur at any age. The sooner you seek treatment, the easier it is to regain strength and function before muscles weaken further.

If you’re tired of planning your schedule around urgent bathroom trips or no longer feel comfortable being intimate due to embarrassing accidents, we can help. Schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms and start mapping your path to recovery.

The Life-Changing Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Seeking pelvic floor therapy early provides the best chance for optimal symptom relief and prevention of progression. But it’s never too late to take control of your health.
Here are some of the life-changing benefits our patients experience:
1. Reduced Bowel Symptoms
Our patients typically see a major reduction in the frequency and intensity of symptoms, including:

• Fewer episodes of constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence
• Less straining, pain, bloating, and discomfort
• Decreased feelings of pelvic heaviness or fullness
• Improved ability to fully empty bowels

2. Improved Quality of Life
With treatments tailored to your unique needs, you’ll likely notice daily tasks becoming easier. Our patients report:

• Renewed participation in sports, travel, and social events
• Increased productivity and less need to plan around bathroom availability
• Greater emotional well-being and self-confidence
• Improved body image comfort and sexual intimacy

3. Avoid Medications and Surgery
Pelvic floor therapy helps restore normal bowel function through natural techniques. This empowers you to reduce or eliminate reliance on medications, supplements, or invasive surgical interventions when possible.

Drugs commonly prescribed for bowel disorders often cause unpleasant side effects. And while surgery may provide rapid relief in some cases of severe dysfunction, it comes with risks of complications.

Pelvic floor therapy represents an effective, low-risk pathway to better bowel health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

If you’re considering pelvic floor therapy, you likely have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries we receive:
Is therapy painful? What happens during appointments? – Our physical therapists always work gently within your comfort zone. They specialize in relaxation techniques while evaluating trigger points or tightness contributing to dysfunction.

During appointments, your therapist guides you through a customized sequence of hands-on soft tissue and muscular releases, biofeedback training, and therapeutic exercises. They continuously check for discomfort, making adjustments as needed.

You remain fully clothed in loose shorts or pants for comfort and privacy. Some internal manual techniques may be used at certain points depending on your symptoms, but only with your consent. There may be some mild soreness after appointments as tissues heal.

How quickly can I expect relief from symptoms? – Most patients experience gradual improvement, with reduced frequency and intensity of symptoms. However, every patient’s response time varies based on factors like age, medical history, dysfunction severity, and adherence to home exercise programs.

Generally, you can expect to see initial results after 2-4 weeks of once or twice weekly therapy. Maximum results often occur around 6-8 weeks for those attending all recommended sessions.
To accelerate and reinforce improvements, your therapist provides personalized home exercise routines and lifestyle advice tailored to your needs. Committing to these recommendations is key for long-term bowel health.

What if I experience pain during my appointment? – Communication is very important throughout your care plan. Your therapist will check in periodically about your comfort level during appointments. Please speak up immediately if you feel pain so they can adjust techniques or pressure.

Some mild discomfort may occur when releasing extremely tight muscles or trigger points. However, pain at any point is not considered a normal part of treatment. Your therapist can try alternative modalities to target areas of concern without discomfort.

Meet Your Pelvic Health Team in Greenville

When you choose Body Works Women’s Health & Wellness for pelvic floor therapy, you’ll work with our close-knit team of specialists dedicated to helping you reclaim your quality of life.

Dr. Elizabeth Eldridge, DPT, OCS, OCS

Dr. Elizabeth brings years of experience serving bowel disorder patients to help provide gentle, personalized care.

Take Control of Your Bowel Health in Greenville

If you’re struggling with bowel dysfunction, pelvic floor muscle weakness could be preventing you from living life uninterrupted. But you don’t have to suffer in silence anymore.

The skilled physical therapists at Body Works Women’s Health & Wellness are here to help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and craft a personalized recovery plan. Within just a few weeks, you could start gaining back bowel control for relief you never thought possible.

We offer flexible morning and evening appointments to fit your schedule. Give us a call at (864) 236-8146 or book your consultation online to get started. The first step toward feeling like yourself again begins today.

About The Author

Dr. Elizabeth Eldridge, a licensed Physical Therapist, empowers patients to unlock their full potential in their pelvic floor. Years of experience fuel their passion for helping individuals reclaim vibrant lives. At Body Works Women’s Health & Wellness in Greenville, Dr. Elizabeth Eldridge combines innovative techniques with personalized care, tackling a broad spectrum of physical challenges.