Pelvic Floor Therapy for Bowel
Incontinence & Constipation

Pelvic Floor Therapy Offers Natural Relief from Constipation

Chronic constipation, bowel incontinence and other bowel movement problems are often dismissed as purely digestive concerns. Both traditional doctors and their patients typically turn to fiber supplements, laxatives, or dietary changes – but these often only bring partial relief. What many people, and even many healthcare providers, overlook is the role the pelvic floor muscles play in healthy elimination. When the pelvic floor muscles cannot coordinate properly, the body struggles to pass stool comfortably and completely.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, pelvic floor dysfunction contributes to a significant percentage of chronic constipation cases, particularly in adults who do not respond to standard treatments. The good news is that retraining the pelvic floor muscles with pelvic floor therapy can often resolve bowel problems that medications alone cannot address.

At Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy in Santa Fe, licensed pelvic floor physical therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT, offers pelvic floor therapy designed to restore normal bowel function through hands-on care and individualized treatment plans. Our approach focuses on the underlying cause rather than masking symptoms, helping patients achieve lasting comfort and regularity.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Improves Bowel Coordination

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. During a normal bowel movement, these muscles must relax and lengthen while the abdominal muscles gently contract. When this coordination breaks down, stool becomes difficult to pass even when the body signals the need to go.

Many patients with bowel dysfunction unknowingly bear down or tighten the wrong muscle groups, a pattern that can develop over years and become automatic. This dyssynergic defecation is one of the most common contributors to chronic constipation in adults.

Certified pelvic floor therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT evaluates each patient’s unique muscle patterns and uses pelvic floor therapy to teach the body how to properly coordinate during elimination. At our Santa Fe practice, treatment is grounded in evidence-based techniques that produce measurable improvements in bowel function – under the medical direction of Dr. Lynore Martinez, a board-certified OB-GYN with over 20 years of experience providing compassionate, patient-centered care to women across all stages of life.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Helps Chronic Constipation

When laxatives, fiber, and lifestyle changes fail to provide consistent relief, the issue is often muscular rather than digestive. Tight, overactive, or poorly coordinated pelvic floor muscles can prevent the rectum from emptying fully, leaving patients feeling bloated and uncomfortable even after a bowel movement.

Studies in the American Journal of Gastroenterology have shown that pelvic floor therapy delivers significant symptom relief for patients with functional constipation, often outperforming medication alone. This makes it a valuable option for those seeking long-term solutions.

Our Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy team offers comprehensive pelvic floor therapy programs that address chronic constipation at its source. Certified pelvic floor therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT works closely with each patient to identify contributing factors and build a personalized treatment plan.

Signs You Need Pelvic Floor Therapy for Bowel Issues

Recognizing when bowel dysfunction may be linked to pelvic floor problems is the first step toward effective treatment. Common warning signs include straining during bowel movements, a sense of incomplete emptying, the need to use manual pressure or unusual positions to pass stool, and frequent constipation that does not respond to dietary changes.

Other indicators can include rectal pain, a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis, and alternating constipation and loose stools. These symptoms often appear gradually and may worsen over time without targeted intervention.

Top Santa Fe pelvic physical therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT, performs detailed evaluations to determine whether pelvic floor therapy is the right fit. Our Santa Fe practice welcomes patients who have struggled with bowel issues for months or even years.

How Pelvic Floor Therapy Retrains Muscle Relaxation

Many patients with bowel dysfunction have pelvic floor muscles that remain in a state of constant contraction, even at rest. This chronic tension prevents the natural lengthening required for healthy elimination. Pelvic floor therapy uses a combination of biofeedback, manual techniques, and guided exercises to help these muscles release and respond appropriately.

Biofeedback tools provide real-time visual or sensory information about muscle activity, allowing patients to see exactly when they are relaxing or contracting. Over time, this awareness translates into improved control and natural bowel function.

At Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy, our treatment approach blends modern biofeedback with hands-on therapy and home exercise guidance. Certified pelvic floor therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT tailors each session to the patient’s progress, ensuring steady gains in muscle relaxation and coordination.

What to Expect from Pelvic Floor Therapy for Constipation

The first appointment typically includes a thorough health history review and a gentle physical assessment to evaluate muscle tone, strength, and coordination. Internal and external assessments may be performed with consent, allowing for an accurate understanding of how the pelvic floor is functioning.

Subsequent sessions focus on individualized exercises, breathing techniques, postural training, and toileting strategies. Patients often learn proper positioning on the toilet, which can significantly improve the ability to pass stool without straining.

Certified pelvic floor therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT creates a welcoming, comfortable environment at our Santa Fe office where patients feel at ease discussing personal symptoms. Our pelvic floor therapy programs are paced to each individual’s needs, with most patients noticing meaningful improvement within several weeks.

Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Be More Effective Than Laxatives

While laxatives can offer temporary relief, they do not address the root cause of pelvic floor related constipation and may lead to dependence with prolonged use. Pelvic floor therapy provides a non-pharmacological alternative that targets the muscular dysfunction itself, producing results that hold up long after treatment ends.

Research has consistently shown that patients who complete pelvic floor therapy programs report greater satisfaction and longer-lasting symptom relief compared to those relying solely on medication. The benefits often extend beyond bowel function, including reduced pelvic pain and improved quality of life.

For patients in the Santa Fe community looking for a sustainable solution, certified pelvic floor therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT offers expert pelvic floor therapy. Our personalized programs help patients move beyond temporary fixes toward true, lasting recovery.

Pelvic Floor Therapy | Santa Fe

If you have struggled with chronic constipation, incomplete bowel movements, or other forms of bowel dysfunction, pelvic floor therapy may offer the relief that medications and lifestyle changes have not. With the right guidance, your body can relearn the coordinated muscle patterns needed for comfortable, regular elimination. Licensed pelvic physical therapist Jacqueline Maestas, DPT, brings extensive training and a compassionate approach to every patient at our Santa Fe practice. To learn more about how pelvic floor therapy can help you reclaim daily comfort and confidence, schedule an appointment with Santa Fe Pelvic Therapy today.

Santa Fe Pelvic Floor Therapy: 505-988-4922