If you find yourself experiencing frequent restroom troubles, such as abdominal pain and difficulty relieving yourself, you may be one of many people who experience IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common gastrointestinal disorder that causes stomach pain and complications with using the restroom (specifically, emptying the bowels). It can cause a range of symptoms that vary from person to person, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, urgency, discomfort, or pain—to name a few.

While it doesn’t cause any damage to your intestinal tissues, it is a chronic (long-term) condition, so many people with IBS try to find ways to manage their specific symptoms. There are a couple of different categorizations of irritable bowel syndrome that differ based on the type of stool (poop) a person experiences during a flare-up:

IBS with Constipation (IBS-C)

In this form of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation is usually one of the primary symptoms. People with IBS-C may have infrequent bowel movements, and their stool is usually hard and difficult to pass. They may also experience bloating, abdominal pain, discomfort, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation when making a bowel movement.

IBS with Diarrhea (IBS-D)

People with IBS-D may find themselves making more frequent or urgent restroom trips, and have stool that is watery or loose. They may also experience abdominal pain or discomfort. People with IBS-D may find their urgent need for the restroom distressing or disruptive to their quality of life.

Mixed IBS (IBS-M)

Those with mixed IBS experience a variety of symptoms that may alternate between IBS-C and IBS-D. Because their symptoms have a wider range and are unpredictable, this type of IBS can be particularly difficult to manage.

Unsubtyped IBS (IBS-U)

This type of irritable bowel syndrome describes those whose symptoms don’t easily fit in the previous three categories. This may be because their symptoms are less frequent, or their bowel habits are irregular. They may not experience as much variation in their stool, therefore they don’t easily fit into any specific category.

Even with these few categories to help classify IBS, symptoms can vary from person to person. Here are some symptoms of IBS that you may experience:

• Abdominal pain or cramping: A dull or aching feeling that may pass after a bowel movement.
• Bloating: Fullness or swelling in the abdomen.
• Gas (Flatulence): Excessive gas which can also lead to bloating.
• Diarrhea: Frequent loose or watery stools.
• Constipation: Hard, lumpy stools that are difficult to pass.
• Alternating symptoms: Some individuals may experience both diarrhea and constipation with mixed IBS.
• Mucus: Clear or white mucus may be found in the stool.
• Abdominal distension: An increase in abdominal size, often due to gas or intestinal contents.
• Urgency: The need to rush to the restroom for a bowel movement. It can be sudden and frequent.
• Incomplete evacuations: The feeling that your bowel movement was incomplete.
• Fatigue: People with IBS often report feeling more tired or fatigued.
• Difficulty sleeping: Abdominal pain, discomfort, and sudden urges to use the restroom can disrupt your normal sleeping patterns.
• Food intolerance: Certain foods can be a trigger for people with IBS and may exacerbate symptoms. Trigger foods often include cruciferous foods, gluten, and dairy products.
• Anxiety or depression: Living with IBS can contribute to feelings of anxiety or depression. Stressors and other psychological factors can also be a contributor to IBS symptoms.

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The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not fully understood, but it is believed that a ​​combination of physical, psychological, and environmental factors may contribute to the condition. This condition is still being researched, but here are some possible factors thought to play a role in IBS:

• Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction
  • The gut-brain axis refers to the chemical connection between your brain and gut. It helps control gut activities and intestinal function. Abnormal gut motility, increased sensitivity to pain in the gut, and other gastrointestinal dysfunctions can lead to IBS symptoms.
• Gastrointestinal Motility Issues
  • This refers to the speed of waste moving through your intestines. Abnormal movements in the digestive system can affect the speed of waste by either slowing it down or speeding it up; which can lead to diarrhea or constipation.
• Visceral Hypersensitivity
  • Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome often have increased sensitivity to abdominal pain or discomfort. Therefore, minor disturbances can affect people with IBS more than other individuals.
• Post-Infectious IBS
  • Bacterial or viral gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal illnesses can sometimes lead to symptoms of IBS. This is thought to be due to inflammation and immune system changes.
• Microflora Differences
  • Your digestive system has a microbiome of bacteria and other microorganisms that play an important role in digestion and other functions. It has been observed that those with IBS have a differing microflora than those who do not have IBS.
• Food Sensitivities
  • Even if you are not necessarily allergic to any foods, any food sensitivities you may have can trigger irritable bowel syndrome.
• Psychological Factors
  • As mentioned earlier, stress, anxiety, and depression can be both contributors to and symptoms of IBS. Therefore, it is suggested to include mental health care in your overall health care plan.
• Genetic Factors
  • IBS is found to be common amongst family members, suggesting that it may also have a heritable component.
• Inflammation in the Gut
  • Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome are found to have mild inflammation and an increased number of immune-system cells in their intestines, which could contribute to symptoms.
• Abnormalities in the Intestinal Barrier
  • Changes in the permeability of the intestines can allow substances to enter the tissues beneath the lining, triggering an immune response that may lead to IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome may affect many people, but it affects everyone differently. There are a range of symptoms and causes that vary by the individual. Therefore, there is no single treatment for IBS.

It is also a chronic condition, meaning that the use of treatments won’t necessarily relieve your symptoms forever. They can, however, make your IBS more manageable and less intrusive to your daily life. This includes physical therapy, which can be an immense help in managing IBS symptoms!

Physical therapy can help IBS in a variety of ways. Exercise prescription and manual therapy can help relieve stress and abdominal pain, as well as improve bowel motility. Additionally, for some patients with IBS, pelvic floor dysfunction may be present—which can exacerbate symptoms.

Your physical therapist can help you better understand your pelvic floor muscles, become more aware of them, and regain control! Working on pelvic floor dysfunction can help significantly with IBS symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea.

Your physical therapist may also utilize the following activities for managing your IBS symptoms:

• Teach you breathing techniques to promote relaxation and reduce strain.
• Suggest exercises and improve your posture to promote digestion.
• Create healthier habits through behavioral modifications.
• Identifying triggers or exercises that can worsen IBS symptoms.

Overall, physical therapy is a fantastic option that can help you manage your symptoms of IBS, especially when combined with other recommendations from your primary provider. At Hive Therapy and Wellness, our physical therapists may use the following treatments to help you manage your symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome:

• Cupping
• Manual Therapy
• Exercise Prescription
• Behavioral Modifications
• Therapeutic Modalities
• Biofeedback (part of neuromuscular)
• Therapeutic Activity