Bowel Dysfunction Pelvic Floor Therapy in Houston
Constipation, straining, or bowel leakage can be uncomfortable to talk about - and even more uncomfortable to experience. But they’re much more common than most people realize.
If you find yourself planning your day around the bathroom, sitting for long periods trying to “go,” or feeling like you never fully empty, your pelvic floor may be part of the problem.
At Empower Yourself PT, we help men and women in Houston and The Woodlands find relief from bowel issues through gentle, effective pelvic floor physical therapy that restores natural function and makes daily life a whole lot easier.
Understanding Bowel Dysfunction
Your pelvic floor muscles are the foundation of your bowel control system. They help coordinate the process of relaxing and contracting when you have a bowel movement.
When these muscles are too tight, weak, or out of sync, you can experience symptoms like:
Constipation or incomplete emptying
Straining or pain during bowel movements
Feeling of blockage or pressure in the rectum
Fecal leakage (accidental stool loss)
Gas incontinence or urgency
Pelvic or tailbone pain with bowel movements
These issues can be uncomfortable and even isolating, but with the right support, they’re completely treatable. That’s where Houston pelvic floor physical therapy comes in.
Constipation & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Many people are surprised to learn that constipation often isn’t about what’s in your diet — it’s about what your pelvic floor is doing.
When the muscles around your rectum stay tight instead of relaxing, stool has a harder time passing. This can lead to straining, hemorrhoids, and incomplete emptying.
Pelvic floor therapy retrains your body to coordinate these muscles properly so you can go more easily, more completely, and without discomfort.
Bowel Leakage (Fecal Incontinence)
On the other end of the spectrum, some people experience bowel leakage or trouble controlling gas. This can happen after childbirth, surgery, or long-term constipation that overstretches the muscles.
Therapy focuses on rebuilding strength and control in the pelvic floor and improving awareness of the muscles responsible for holding stool and gas until you’re ready to go.
Our goal is to help you regain both confidence and control — so you can stop worrying about accidents and focus on living your life.
Common Causes of Bowel Issues
Bowel dysfunction can develop for many reasons, including:
Chronic constipation or straining
Dietary habits and dehydration
Pelvic floor muscle tension or weakness
Nerve damage
Childbirth or pelvic surgeries
Rectal prolapse
Sometimes these issues start small - like holding in stool too often or ignoring urges to go - and gradually lead to pelvic floor dysfunction over time.
The good news is that these patterns can be retrained, and bowel habits can return to normal with targeted pelvic floor physical therapy.
Hemorrhoids or anal fissures
Stress or anxiety, affecting muscle coordination
Understanding Pelvic Floor Therapy For Bowel Dysfunction
Pelvic floor physical therapy helps you retrain your muscles, improve coordination, and restore comfort during bowel movements - all without medication or invasive treatments.
Your personalized plan may include:
Education about bowel mechanics, posture, and habits
Biofeedback or real-time ultrasound to teach muscle coordination
Manual therapy to release tension and reduce pain
Breathing and relaxation techniques for proper pelvic muscle release
Abdominal and core retraining to support movement
Toileting strategies (like the right positions and timing)
Dietary and hydration recommendations to support bowel health
Pelvic floor PT can help you learn to relax your pelvic floor during bowel movements, reduce strain, and restore comfort - one bathroom trip at a time.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
During your first visit, your therapist will spend time understanding your symptoms, medical history, and daily habits. We’ll talk through everything from your hydration and diet to how you sit and breathe - all of which affect bowel health.
If appropriate, your therapist may perform a gentle internal assessment to evaluate muscle tone and coordination. (Always with your consent and comfort in mind.)
From there, we’ll create a personalized plan to help you achieve regular, comfortable, and complete bowel movements - without strain or worry.
Serving Houston & The Woodlands
Our main clinic in Houston serves patients in Meyerland, Bellaire, The Heights, Midtown, Galleria, West University, and Downtown, while our Woodlands location welcomes those in Spring, Conroe, Humble, Magnolia, Cypress and Tomball.
Whether you’re managing chronic constipation, pelvic pain, or bowel leakage, expert help is nearby - and you don’t have to be embarrassed to ask for it.
Why Choose Empower Yourself PT
We understand - bowel issues aren’t easy to talk about. But at Empower Yourself PT, this is what we do every day.
You’ll find a private, compassionate environment and a team that truly listens. Here’s what makes our approach different:
Specialized pelvic health expertise for bowel, bladder, and pain conditions
Private one-on-one sessions with experienced therapists
Evidence-based, whole-body care — not just symptom management
A judgment-free, supportive environment where nothing is off limits
Long-term solutions designed for lasting relief and restored confidence
We’ll help you understand what’s happening in your body and guide you step-by-step toward better function and freedom.
Get Back to Living Comfortably
You don’t have to live with constipation, leakage, or embarrassment. With the right tools and support, your body can relearn how to work the way it’s supposed to.
If you’re in Houston or The Woodlands, we’re here to help you feel more confident, more comfortable, and more in control. Schedule a free phone consultation to learn how we can help.