People with bowel and bladder problems or chronic constipation often have to deal with a lot of physical and emotional stress in their average day. For some people these problems can cause severe anxiety or pain. While bowel and bladder problems are distinct and different issues, some common exercises and treatments can help.

How Your Physiotherapist Can Help

Did you know that physiotherapy treatment can be a real weapon in the fight against the effects of bowel and bladder problems? In Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic we have extensive experience of dealing with these problems. Your physiotherapist can deal with a range of issues, from addressing breathing patterns to deal with stress to working with clients to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. There are various treatments and approaches within a range of areas:

• Physiotherapy can help you work on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. This can include teaching pelvic floor exercises, using electrical stimulation or biofeedback for very weak muscles. Your pelvic floor muscles are responsible for both bowel and bladder control. Physiotherapists trained in dealing with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction can give people the tools to improve muscles to help with bladder or bowel function, by creating an individual programme for weak muscles or those overworking.

• During a course of physiotherapy, a regular exercise programme can be worked out with you. This can also help with easing constipation associated with IBS.

• IBS can be a very stressful condition and sufferers can become very anxious about symptoms and how to cope with everyday situations like work or travel. Anxiety can tense up muscles which can aggravate the symptoms even more. In the case of constipation this can make it harder for the pelvic floor to function properly and in the case of bladder or bowel urgency, it can tense up the whole body. Your chartered physiotherapist can teach specific relaxation techniques to deal with these situations. This may include breathing or calming strategies.

The experts in Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic can help you deal with your bladder or bowel problem. Aileen Maguire is our specifically trained expert in the area of bowel and bladder problems She will work will work with you in addressing your symptoms through tailored programmes.