Bowel Symptoms Are Common But Often Difficult To Talk About

Bowel symptoms can significantly affect comfort, confidence and quality of life. Many people find themselves planning their day around toilet access, avoiding social situations or feeling frustrated when symptoms persist despite dietary changes or medications.

Symptoms such as constipation, incomplete emptying, bowel urgency, accidental leakage or difficulty coordinating bowel movements may be influenced by a range of factors, including pelvic floor muscle function, bowel habits, diet, medications, previous surgery, pregnancy, childbirth and underlying medical conditions.

At Boutique Pelvic Health, care is tailored to your individual symptoms and goals, helping you better understand contributing factors and develop practical strategies to improve bowel function and confidence.

Common Symptoms

  • Constipation & Straining

    Difficulty passing bowel motions, excessive straining, hard stools or a sensation that bowel motions are difficult to evacuate.

  • Incomplete Emptying

    A sensation that the bowel has not completely emptied, needing to return to the toilet or difficulty coordinating bowel movements.

  • Urgency & Leakage

    Bowel urgency, accidental leakage of stool or gas, difficulty delaying bowel motions or concerns about bowel control.
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How Physiotherapy May Help

Bowel symptoms are often influenced by a combination of pelvic floor muscle function, bowel habits, fluid intake, diet, movement patterns and medical factors.

Treatment may include:

• Assessment of pelvic floor muscle function and coordination
• Education regarding bowel anatomy and function
• Optimising toileting posture and bowel habits
• Strategies to reduce straining
• Management of pelvic floor overactivity or dysfunction
• Breathing and coordination strategies
• Support for faecal urgency and bowel control concerns
• Bladder and bowel habit assessment
• Individualised home programs

The aim is to improve confidence, comfort and participation in daily life while supporting long-term bowel health.

What To Expect At Your First Appointment

Your initial consultation is 60 minutes and provides time to gain a detailed understanding of your bowel symptoms, medical history and goals.

Your appointment may include:

• Review of bowel habits and symptom patterns
• Discussion of diet, fluid intake and lifestyle factors
• Assessment of breathing, posture and movement patterns
• Pelvic floor assessment where appropriate and with consent
• Assessment of contributing musculoskeletal factors
• Development of an individualised treatment plan

An internal pelvic floor examination may be recommended in some situations because it can provide valuable information about pelvic floor function and coordination. However, it is always optional and only performed with your consent.

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Why Choose Boutique Pelvic Health

All appointments are provided personally by Zara Howard, APA Titled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

Unlike larger clinics where you may see different practitioners, every appointment at Boutique Pelvic Health is delivered by Zara.

Zara has over a decade of experience in pelvic health and holds a Master of Clinical Physiotherapy (Women's Health and Continence). Her background includes extensive experience working alongside urogynaecologists and multidisciplinary teams supporting bladder, bowel and pelvic floor conditions.

Her approach is warm, respectful and evidence-based, with treatment tailored to your symptoms, goals and lived experience.

Available Appointments

  • Bundall

    Boutique Pelvic Health
    Boutique Building
    55 Bundall Road
    Bundall QLD 4217
    Australia

  • John Flynn / Tugun

    Boutique Pelvic Health
    Located within Eden Women’s Health
    Suite 7E, Fred McKay House
    John Flynn Private Hospital

    42 Inland Drive
    Tugun QLD 4224
    Australia

  • Telehealth

    Online pelvic health physiotherapy consultations are available for people across Australia.
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FAQ's

Can physiotherapy help constipation?


Yes. Physiotherapy may help identify factors contributing to constipation, including pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, toileting habits, straining patterns and bowel coordination difficulties.


What is obstructed defecation?

Obstructed defecation refers to difficulty emptying the bowel despite the urge to have a bowel motion. It may be associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, rectocele, coordination difficulties or other contributing factors.

Can pelvic floor muscles affect bowel function?

Yes. The pelvic floor muscles play an important role in bowel control and emptying. Difficulty relaxing or coordinating these muscles may contribute to constipation, incomplete emptying or bowel urgency.

Can physiotherapy help faecal incontinence?


Physiotherapy may assist people experiencing bowel leakage by addressing pelvic floor muscle function, bowel habits, urgency management and other contributing factors.

Do I need an internal examination?

No. An internal examination is never mandatory. It may be recommended in some situations because it provides useful information about pelvic floor function, but it is always optional and performed only with your consent.

Is telehealth available?

Yes. Telehealth pelvic health physiotherapy appointments are available Australia-wide.

Telehealth can be particularly helpful for people living outside the Gold Coast, those with mobility limitations, busy schedules, or individuals who would prefer to begin with education and self-management strategies before attending in person.

Depending on your symptoms, telehealth appointments may include education, exercise prescription, bladder and bowel management strategies, pain management approaches, movement assessment and guidance for home-based rehabilitation.

Ready To Improve Your Bowel Health?

Whether you're experiencing constipation, incomplete emptying, urgency or bowel control concerns, support is available.

Book an appointment with Zara Howard to better understand your symptoms and develop practical strategies for long-term bowel health.

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