Living with Crohn’s disease comes with a host of challenges — unpredictable flare-ups, abdominal pain, fatigue, and bowel urgency are just a few. But one aspect that’s often overlooked in managing this condition is the pelvic floor — the group of muscles that support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor–Crohn’s Connection
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It often involves chronic inflammation, frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and — for many — pelvic discomfort.
Over time, chronic inflammation and the stress of frequent bowel issues can lead to dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles may become:
- Too tight (hypertonic) — causing pain, constipation, or difficulty fully emptying the bowel.
- Too weak (hypotonic) — leading to fecal incontinence, urgency, or difficulty with control.
Many people with Crohn’s unknowingly develop pelvic floor dysfunction as a secondary condition, which can linger even when the disease is in remission.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists are trained to assess and treat muscle imbalances and dysfunction in the pelvic region. Here are some ways PFPT can support someone with Crohn’s disease:
1. Improve Bowel Control
If you’re dealing with urgency, incontinence, or accidents, PFPT can help strengthen and retrain the pelvic floor muscles involved in bowel control. This can lead to fewer accidents and a greater sense of confidence when leaving the house.
2. Relieve Pelvic and Abdominal Pain
Chronic inflammation and frequent bowel movements can lead to muscle tension, spasms, or nerve sensitization in the pelvic area. PFPT uses techniques such as:
- Manual therapy
- Trigger point release
- Relaxation exercises
- Breathing techniques
3. Address Constipation or Incomplete Emptying
If pelvic muscles are too tight, they may actually prevent you from fully emptying your bowels. A pelvic floor therapist can teach techniques to coordinate muscle relaxation, use proper toileting posture, and retrain muscles to allow for complete, comfortable bowel movements.
4. Support During Flare-Ups and Remission
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is adaptable — during flares, therapists may focus on pain relief and calming the nervous system. During remission, sessions might shift to strengthening and improving coordination. Either way, PFPT becomes a valuable tool for managing symptoms in both the short and long term.
5. Help After Surgery
Many people with Crohn’s disease undergo surgery, such as bowel resections or ostomy placement. PFPT can help rehabilitate core and pelvic muscles post-surgery, reduce scar tissue adhesions, and improve body mechanics to prevent future issues.
What to Expect During a PFPT Session
Your first visit will typically involve a detailed medical history and an assessment of your posture, core strength, and pelvic floor muscle function. Depending on your comfort level and symptoms, an internal assessment (vaginal or rectal) may be recommended to evaluate the pelvic floor directly.
Treatment is tailored to your needs, and may include:
- Exercises for strengthening or relaxing the pelvic floor
- Biofeedback to improve muscle awareness
- Manual therapy to release tension
- Education about toileting posture, breathwork, and more
If you have have Crohn’s Diesease speak to your doctor about adding Pelvic Floor Therapy to you treatment and come see us at 78 Main Street, Madison NJ or give us a call to set up your appointment at 908-443-9880.