Physical Therapy can help children with constipation and toileting problems. Some of the causes of constipation can be addressed with exercise to improve body awareness, muscle balance and muscle control.
The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles at the base of the spine/pelvis area that help control continence, urination and defecation. Sometimes these muscles don’t work well. When there is unbalanced muscle tension in the pelvis or when there is unbalanced tightness between the legs, abdomen, and trunk it can cause pelvic floor dysfunction. In physical therapy, children (and adults) can learn to “find” and control these muscles better.
Activities in a typical session may include instruction and practice of:
- Different breathing techniques
- Gentle massage to the abdominal area or “Visceral Mobilization,”
- Biofeedback techniques to improve awareness of the pelvic floor muscles in order to learn to relax and contract muscles better.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises for leg and trunk muscles.
- Learning about body parts and how they work together to keep you healthy and strong.
For information about our Pelvic Floor Clinics