Embracing IBS Awareness Month: A Pelvic Floor PT Perspective

In Bowel Dysfunction, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Pelvic Health by Emily Tran

By PHRC Admin

Every April, the world recognizes Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month. This global healthcare event aims to shine a spotlight on this common but often misunderstood condition. As pelvic floor physical therapists, understanding the intricate relationship between IBS and pelvic health is crucial.

 

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Symptoms can include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. It’s estimated that about 12% of the population worldwide suffers from IBS.

 

The Link Between IBS and Pelvic Health

The pelvic floor, a complex network of muscles, ligaments, and tissues, plays a key role in bowel function. An overactive or underactive pelvic floor can contribute to IBS symptoms. For instance, pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to constipation, a common symptom of IBS.

 

Understanding the Role of Pelvic Floor PT in Managing IBS

Pelvic floor physical therapy can provide significant benefits for individuals living with IBS. By helping to relax and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, it can improve bowel function and reduce symptoms.

 

Physical therapy exercises, such as deep breathing and relaxation techniques, can help manage stress, which is often a trigger for IBS symptoms. Furthermore, pelvic floor physical therapists can provide guidance on dietary modifications and lifestyle changes to help manage IBS.

 

Raising Awareness During IBS Awareness Month

IBS Awareness Month provides an opportunity to educate the public about this common condition. Despite affecting nearly 1 in 20 people, many individuals with IBS remain undiagnosed. Raising awareness about the symptoms of IBS and the available treatment options can help individuals seek the help they need.

The Stats

 

  1. The prevalence of IBS within the community is estimated to be between 10-25%, according to a study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information
  2. A new study by Cedars-Sinai reveals that IBS is more prevalent than previously thought, indicating that previous estimates may have been too low
  3. In the United States, it’s estimated that 10-15% of adults suffer from IBS symptoms, as reported by the American College of Gastroenterology
  4. The prevalence of IBS, using the Rome IV criteria, was found to be very similar between three countries studied, ranging from 4.4- 4.8%.
  5. The estimated prevalence of IBS using Rome IV criteria in the United States ranges from 4.7- 5.3%, according to a report in the Gastroenterology Journal.
  6. IBS affects between 9-23% of the population, with common symptoms including diarrhea, constipation, or both, as well as abdominal pain.
  7. Across the globe, an average of 11.2% of people live with IBS, but only half of IBS patients seek medical care.
  8. About 10-15% of American adults have IBS.

 

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment of IBS can significantly improve an individual’s quality of life1. Pelvic floor physical therapy, medication, dietary changes, and stress management techniques can all play a role in managing this condition.

As IBS Awareness Month is celebrated, it’s important to remember the significant impact that this condition can have on an individual’s life. Prioritizing education, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment strategies can make a significant difference in managing IBS symptoms. From a pelvic floor PT perspective, raising awareness about the link between IBS and pelvic health is crucial in promoting overall well being.

 

Sources

  1. Black, C.J., Ford, A.C. Global burden of irritable bowel syndrome: trends, predictions and risk factors. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 17, 473–486 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-020-0286-8
  2. Canavan C, West J, Card T. The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Epidemiol. 2014 Feb 4;6:71-80. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S40245. PMID: 24523597; PMCID: PMC3921083.
  3. Prevalence and Burden of Illness of Rome IV Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the United States: Results From a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Almario, Christopher V. et al.Gastroenterology, Volume 165, Issue 6, 1475 – 1487
  4. Study: Prevalence of IBS Exceeds Previous Estimates
  5. IBS Awareness Month – About IBS 
  6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  7. Consumer Health: What is IBS?
  8. April is IBS Awareness Month
  9. IBS Awareness Month & World IBS Day – April 2023

 

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FAQ

What are pelvic floor muscles?

The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that run from the coccyx to the pubic bone. They are part of the core, helping to support our entire body as well as providing support for the bowel, bladder and uterus. These muscles help us maintain bowel and bladder control and are involved in sexual pleasure and orgasm. The technical name of the pelvic floor muscles is the Levator Ani muscle group. The pudendal nerve, the levator ani nerve, and branches from the S2 – S4 nerve roots innervate the pelvic floor muscles. They are under voluntary and autonomic control, which is a unique feature only they possess compared to other muscle groups.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy. Currently, physical therapists need advanced post-graduate education to be able to help people with pelvic floor dysfunction because pelvic floor disorders are not yet being taught in standard physical therapy curricula. The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center provides extensive training for our staff because we recognize the limitations of physical therapy education in this unique area.

What happens at pelvic floor therapy?

During an evaluation for pelvic floor dysfunction the physical therapist will take a detailed history. Following the history the physical therapist will leave the room to allow the patient to change and drape themselves. The physical therapist will return to the room and using gloved hands will perform an external and internal manual assessment of the pelvic floor and girdle muscles. The physical therapist will once again leave the room and allow the patient to dress. Following the manual examination there may also be an examination of strength, motor control, and overall biomechanics and neuromuscular control. The physical therapist will then communicate the findings to the patient and together with their patient they establish an assessment, short term and long term goals and a treatment plan. Typically people with pelvic floor dysfunction are seen one time per week for one hour for varying amounts of time based on the severity and chronicity of the disease. A home exercise program will be established and the physical therapist will help coordinate other providers on the treatment team. Typically patients are seen for 3 months to a year.

What is pudendal neuralgia and how is it treated?

Pudendal Neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis that means pain in the sensory distribution of the pudendal nerve. The pudendal nerve is a mixed nerve that exits the S2 – S4 sacral nerve roots, we have a right and left pudendal nerve and each side has three main trunks: the dorsal branch, the perineal branch, and the inferior rectal branch. The branches supply sensation to the clitoris/penis, labia/scrotum, perineum, anus, the distal ⅓ of the urethra and rectum, and the vulva and vestibule. The nerve branches also control the pelvic floor muscles. The pudendal nerve follows a tortuous path through the pelvic floor and girdle, leaving it vulnerable to compression and tension injuries at various points along its path.

Pudendal Neuralgia occurs when the nerve is unable to slide, glide and move normally and as a result, people experience pain in some or all of the above-mentioned areas. Pelvic floor physical therapy plays a crucial role in identifying the mechanical impairments that are affecting the nerve. The physical therapy treatment plan is designed to restore normal neural function. Patients with pudendal neuralgia require pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from medical management that includes pharmaceuticals and procedures such as pudendal nerve blocks or botox injections.

What is interstitial cystitis and how is it treated?

Interstitial Cystitis is a clinical diagnosis characterized by irritative bladder symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, and hesitancy in the absence of infection. Research has shown the majority of patients who meet the clinical definition have pelvic floor dysfunction and myalgia. Therefore, the American Urologic Association recommends pelvic floor physical therapy as first-line treatment for Interstitial Cystitis. Patients will benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from pharmacologic management or medical procedures such as bladder instillations.

Who is the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Team?

The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center was founded by Elizabeth Akincilar and Stephanie Prendergast in 2006, they have been treating people with pelvic floor disorders since 2001. They were trained and mentored by a medical doctor and quickly became experts in treating pelvic floor disorders. They began creating courses and sharing their knowledge around the world. They expanded to 11 locations in the United States and developed a residency style training program for their employees with ongoing weekly mentoring. The physical therapists who work at PHRC have undergone more training than the majority of pelvic floor physical therapists and as a result offer efficient and high quality care.

How many years of experience do we have?

Stephanie and Liz have 24 years of experience and help each and every team member become an expert in the field through their training and mentoring program.

Why PHRC versus anyone else?

PHRC is unique because of the specific focus on pelvic floor disorders and the leadership at our company. We are constantly lecturing, teaching, and staying ahead of the curve with our connections to medical experts and emerging experts. As a result, we are able to efficiently and effectively help our patients restore their pelvic health.

Do we treat men for pelvic floor therapy?

The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is unique in that the Cofounders have always treated people of all genders and therefore have trained the team members and staff the same way. Many pelvic floor physical therapists focus solely on people with vulvas, this is not the case here.

Do I need pelvic floor therapy forever?

The majority of people with pelvic floor dysfunction will undergo pelvic floor physical therapy for a set amount of time based on their goals. Every 6 -8 weeks goals will be re-established based on the physical improvements and remaining physical impairments. Most patients will achieve their goals in 3 – 6 months. If there are complicating medical or untreated comorbidities some patients will be in therapy longer.