Pelvic Pain and IBS: The Gut-Pelvis Connection
If you’re someone who deals with pelvic pain and symptoms like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, you might be wondering….are they connected?
The answer: yes—often more than people realize.
Pelvic pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) frequently go hand-in-hand, and the connection between your gut and pelvic floor can create a cycle of discomfort that’s hard to break without the right support. At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we specialize in treating this intersection with a whole-body, evidence-informed approach that’s tailored to you.
Understanding the Gut-Pelvis Connection
Your gut and pelvic floor are in constant communication. The pelvic floor muscles surround and support the rectum, and they help control bowel movements. When IBS flares up, the gut becomes more sensitive, inflamed, or irregular—and that can cause the pelvic floor to become tense, guarded, or overactive.
At the same time, if your pelvic floor isn’t functioning optimally (too tight, weak, or uncoordinated), it can worsen bowel symptoms by making it harder to fully empty the rectum or respond to digestive cues.
This feedback loop can look like:
Pelvic pain triggered by constipation or gas
Abdominal bloating leading to pelvic pressure or heaviness
Frequent straining causing tight pelvic floor muscles
Pelvic floor tension making IBS symptoms worse
Common Symptoms of Gut-Pelvis Dysfunction
You might be experiencing:
Constipation, incomplete emptying, or straining
Bloating and abdominal pressure
Pelvic pain (tailbone, vaginal, rectal, or deep abdominal)
Pain with sex or bowel movements
Urinary urgency, frequency, or leakage
Low back, hip, or sacral pain
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
Pelvic PT isn’t just for bladder issues or postpartum recovery. If you’re living with IBS and pelvic pain, pelvic floor therapy can help calm the nervous system, improve muscle coordination, and relieve tension in ways that support better digestion and less pain.
Here’s how we can help:
🧘♀️ Nervous System Downtraining
IBS and chronic pelvic pain both involve heightened sensitivity in the brain-gut-pelvic connection. We use breathwork, gentle movement, and soft tissue techniques to calm the nervous system and reduce reactivity.
💩 Improving Bowel Mechanics
We help retrain how you coordinate your pelvic floor muscles with bowel movements—so you can reduce straining, fully empty, and feel more in control.
💆 Manual Therapy for Muscle and Fascia
We release tension in the pelvic floor, abdomen, hips, and low back to improve mobility, decrease pain, and support better organ function.
🫁 Breath & Core Coordination
Your diaphragm, abdominals, and pelvic floor work together to regulate intra-abdominal pressure. When they’re not synced up, symptoms like bloating, straining, and pelvic pain can worsen.
💡 Whole-Body Education
We walk you through dietary triggers, posture, bathroom habits, and more—without shame or overwhelm—so you feel informed and empowered.
A Team-Based, Root-Cause Approach
At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we understand that your gut symptoms and pelvic pain don’t exist in isolation. That’s why we work closely with:
GI providers and dietitians
Mental health therapists familiar with chronic pain and gut-brain health
Holistic providers who support stress regulation, trauma-informed care, and more
You deserve care that looks at the full picture—and doesn’t stop at a diagnosis.
You’re Not Just “Sensitive”—You’re In Tune with Your Body
If you’ve been told “it’s just IBS” or to “just relax,” we’re here to offer a different path. Your symptoms are real, valid, and treatable. You don’t have to live with pelvic pain, bloating, or bowel issues forever.
📍 Located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Learn more about us here!
Schedule a pelvic floor evaluation or contact us today and ask us anything. We’re here to help you feel better—from the inside out.
