Our mission is to help you restore control, reduce urgency, and regain confidence – so you can return to your daily life without fear or embarrassment.
Fecal incontinence is the involuntary loss of stool or gas, and it can range from occasional leakage to complete loss of bowel control. While common, it is not a normal part of aging and can affect people of all ages. Studies estimate that 2–24% of adults experience some form of fecal incontinence, yet many suffer in silence because of embarrassment. Left untreated, it can take a toll on self-esteem, relationships, and daily activities.
This condition often occurs when the pelvic floor muscles, anal sphincters, or surrounding tissues are weakened, injured, or not coordinating properly. Normally, the internal anal sphincter provides most of the resting tone, while the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle tighten to reinforce the closure of the rectum until it’s time to pass stool. Any disruption in this system—such as childbirth trauma, surgery, nerve injury, chronic constipation, or conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—can interfere with continence.
The good news is that physical therapy is considered the first line of defense. With proper evaluation and a personalized treatment plan, many people experience significant improvement in bowel control, comfort, and quality of life.
Fecal incontinence can result from a variety of overlapping factors, including:
Because continence requires the integration of muscles, nerves, and coordination, even small changes in one area can disrupt the system. That’s why individualized assessment is so important.
At PelvicHealing, our goal is not just to treat symptoms but to identify the underlying cause of your incontinence. Each one-hour evaluation may include:
We will also discuss whether conservative pelvic floor therapy is your best path forward, or if surgical consultation should be considered. Even when surgery is recommended, “prehab” can improve outcomes, and our clinic provides post-operative rehabilitation to support long-term recovery.
Education is central to healing. We take the time to explain how your pelvic floor supports bowel function and dedicate a full hour to each appointment. Treatment is personalized and may include hands-on therapy, guided exercise, and advanced tools like biofeedback, which has been shown to reduce incontinence episodes by up to 90% in more than 60% of patients. We also offer core strengthening, including one-on-one sessions with pelvic floor–trained Pilates instructors, to help restore long-term strength and control.
Core Treatments May Include:
“I have now gone from up to ten episodes of fecal incontinence per day to approximately one to two per week. My life has completely changed for the better. After six weeks of physical therapy, my Urogynecologist recommended that I elect not to have surgery to repair my defect.”
You deserve answers and relief from your pelvic pain. Our experienced team is here to guide you in reclaiming your confidence and quality of life.
