Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for IBS Relief
If you’ve been struggling with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain) then you know how unpredictable and frustrating it can feel.
While IBS is often labeled as a “gut issue,” it’s also deeply connected to the pelvic floor and nervous system. At Root to Rise Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health in Scarborough and Bath, Maine, we specialize in helping people find relief from IBS symptoms through gentle, whole-body care that supports the gut-brain connection.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Supports IBS
Many people with IBS experience underlying pelvic floor dysfunction that makes digestion and bowel movements more difficult. Pelvic floor therapy offers a conservative, effective way to relieve symptoms by addressing the muscles and mechanics that influence digestion, elimination, and abdominal tension.
Here’s how our pelvic floor physical therapists can help:
1. Relieve Pelvic Floor Tension and Constipation
When the pelvic floor muscles are too tight or don’t relax properly, it can contribute to constipation, straining, or incomplete bowel emptying, which are all common symptoms of IBS.
Our pelvic floor therapists use hands-on techniques, breathwork, and posture training to improve coordination and lengthening of the pelvic floor. This helps restore natural bowel mechanics and reduce abdominal pain.
2. Reduce Abdominal Pain and Bloating
IBS is often associated with visceral hypersensitivity, meaning the internal organs are overly sensitive. Gentle abdominal massage and visceral mobilization performed by a trained pelvic health therapist can help calm this sensitivity and reduce bloating, gas, and discomfort.
Our Scarborough and Bath pelvic floor therapy clinics offer individualized sessions focused on helping your digestive system relax and move more freely.
3. Calm the Gut-Brain Connection
IBS is known as a “disorder of gut-brain interaction.” Stress can directly affect digestion, triggering IBS symptoms.
During sessions, we incorporate breathing and relaxation techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, your body’s “rest and digest” mode. This helps reduce tension in both the gut and pelvic floor for better digestive flow.
4. Teach You Long-Term Self-Management Tools
Your therapist will guide you through stretching, mobility exercises, and relaxation practices that support bowel regularity and gut motility. You’ll also learn how to optimize bowel positioning, breathing, and daily movement to manage symptoms naturally between sessions.
At Root to Rise, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge and confidence to care for their bodies long-term.
What to Expect from Pelvic Floor Therapy for IBS
During your first visit at our Scarborough or Bath, Maine clinic, your pelvic floor physical therapist will review your IBS symptoms, digestive patterns, and lifestyle factors to create a customized plan.
Your treatment may include:
Gentle pelvic and abdominal muscle release
Diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation training
Coordination training for your pelvic floor and deep core muscles
Education on bowel habits and mechanics
Most people notice improved bowel regularity, less bloating, and greater ease with digestion after just a few sessions.
Find IBS Relief in Southern Maine
If you’re living with IBS and looking for a more natural, whole-body approach to care, pelvic floor physical therapy can help you reconnect with your body and find lasting relief.
At Root to Rise, we proudly serve patients from Scarborough and Bath and surrounding Maine communities.
💫 Schedule a pelvic floor consultation today and discover how reconnecting with your breath, core, and pelvic floor can support your gut health from the inside out.
At Root To Rise, we help individuals in Southern Maine find freedom from pain and reconnect to movement with confidence.
✨ You don’t have to live with IBS. Schedule a pelvic floor assessment at Root to Rise Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health in Scarborough or Bath, Maine, and discover what your body really needs to feel strong and supported.
Interested in learning more? Read another blog post we wrote about bowel health: