Pediatric Pelvic Health

Bathroom and pelvic health concerns can be frustrating for children and families. Constipation, bedwetting, daytime urinary accidents, urgency, or difficulty with bowel movements can affect a child's confidence, comfort, school activities, and daily life.

At Core Pelvic Health & Wellness, I provide age-appropriate, individualized pelvic health physical therapy in a supportive environment where children and families can feel comfortable, understood, and empowered.

Pediatric pelvic health is about more than the pelvic floor

A child's pelvic health involves much more than the pelvic floor muscles. Bladder and bowel function can be influenced by pelvic floor coordination, breathing, abdominal and core function, posture, movement, toileting habits, constipation, and other factors.

My approach is focused on understanding the whole child and identifying factors that may be contributing to their symptoms.

What pediatric pelvic health concerns can PT help with?

Your child may benefit from an evaluation if they experience:

Bowel concerns

  • Constipation

  • Chronic constipation

  • Difficulty having bowel movements

  • Pain with bowel movements

  • Excessive straining

  • Stool withholding

  • Feeling unable to completely empty

  • Fecal leakage/soiling

  • Bowel urgency

  • Fear or anxiety surrounding bowel movements

Bladder concerns

  • Daytime urinary accidents

  • Bedwetting

  • Urinary urgency

  • Frequent urination

  • Difficulty emptying the bladder

  • Holding urine for long periods

  • Post-void dribbling

  • Difficulty recognizing bladder signals

Pelvic and musculoskeletal concerns

  • Pelvic pain

  • Abdominal pain associated with bowel or bladder function

  • Tailbone pain

  • Hip or low-back pain

  • Pain or difficulty with movement associated with pelvic health concerns

Constipation & toileting

Constipation can become a cycle.

When a child experiences pain with a bowel movement, they may begin to avoid or hold their stool. Over time, stool can become harder and more difficult to pass, which can make the next bowel movement even more uncomfortable.

Pelvic floor physical therapy can help children learn healthy toileting mechanics, improve pelvic floor coordination, and develop strategies that support easier bowel movements.

Treatment may include:

  • Toileting positioning

  • Foot support

  • Breathing strategies

  • Pelvic floor relaxation

  • Abdominal coordination

  • Movement and physical activity

  • Education about bowel habits

  • Strategies to reduce straining

  • Parent/caregiver education

Bowel management may also involve collaboration with your child's pediatrician, gastroenterologist, or other healthcare provider.

Bedwetting & urinary accidents

Bedwetting and accidents are not simply a behavior problem.

Children may experience urinary symptoms for many different reasons. Bladder habits, constipation, pelvic floor coordination, bladder awareness, and other factors can contribute.

An individualized evaluation can help determine whether physical therapy may be appropriate as part of your child's care.

Potential concerns:

  • Bedwetting

  • Daytime wetting

  • Urgency

  • Frequency

  • Holding urine

  • Difficulty emptying

  • Urinary leakage

Your child is not “being lazy” or “not trying hard enough.” Understanding what is contributing to the problem is an important first step.

A whole-child approach

Every child is different.

Pediatric pelvic health treatment is not simply a smaller version of adult pelvic floor therapy. Treatment is adapted to your child's age, developmental level, communication style, comfort, and goals.

Depending on the child, treatment may incorporate movement, games, visual demonstrations, breathing activities, exercise, body awareness, and age-appropriate education.

What does a pediatric pelvic floor PT evaluation look like?

We start with a conversation.

I will talk with you and your child about their symptoms, medical history, bowel and bladder habits, daily activities, and concerns.

We make the evaluation age-appropriate.

Depending on your child's age and developmental level, the evaluation may include movement, posture, breathing, abdominal and core function, strength, flexibility, coordination, and toileting mechanics.

We work at your child's comfort level.

My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable participating in their care.

Will my child need an internal pelvic floor examination?

No. An internal examination is not automatically required for pediatric pelvic health physical therapy.

Pediatric care is individualized based on your child's age, symptoms, developmental level, and clinical needs. When appropriate, I can use real-time ultrasound imaging to provide a non-invasive way to assess and visualize muscle activity and coordination.

Real-time ultrasound can allow your child to see how their muscles are working while they breathe, contract, and relax, making it an engaging and age-appropriate way to learn about their body and improve muscle coordination.

Treatment may also include external assessment, movement, breathing, toileting strategies, education, and exercises. If any additional assessment is recommended, I will explain the purpose in an age-appropriate way and discuss it with both the child and parent/caregiver.

Parents are part of the treatment team

Parents and caregivers play an important role.

Children often need support at home to establish healthy bladder and bowel habits. I will provide parents and caregivers with practical strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines.

Depending on your child's age, treatment may involve both parent education and direct work with your child.

  • Morning routines

  • School bathroom routines

  • Toileting posture

  • Hydration

  • Movement

  • Bowel routines

  • Recognizing body signals

  • Strategies for managing urgency

Schedule Now!