The Impact of Colorectal Cancer Treatment on the Pelvic Floor

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and its treatments—surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—can have significant long-term effects on the pelvic floor muscles. It’s signs and symptoms can be found here in a previous blog. These muscles, which support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, can be weakened or damaged as a result of cancer treatment, leading to complications such as incontinence, pelvic pain, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.

Medical Treatment Options

Surgery, especially when it involves the removal of part of the colon or rectum, can disrupt the pelvic floor’s integrity, leading to muscle imbalances and dysfunction. This may cause difficulty with bowel control or contribute to pelvic organ prolapse, a condition where organs like the bladder or rectum descend into the vaginal canal. Additionally, radiation therapy—often used in treating colorectal cancer—can lead to fibrosis (scarring) of pelvic tissues, reducing muscle elasticity and function. These side effects can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life.

Meanwhile, chemotherapy can contribute to neurological changes and affect the nerve supply to the pelvic floor, further complicating issues with bladder and bowel control.

The Role Of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

This is where pelvic health physical therapy plays a crucial role. Specialized therapists can help patients regain pelvic floor strength, flexibility, and coordination through manual therapy, biofeedback, and exercise programs. Pelvic health PTs also teach strategies to improve bowel and bladder control and reduce pelvic pain, offering patients much-needed relief and improving their overall quality of life during recovery.

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Treatment

Treatment often includes but is not limited to:

• manual therapy
  • soft tissue mobilization
  • mobilization of scar tissue
• targeted exercises
• education to improve
• toileting techniques for improved
  • bowel emptying
  • pelvic floor function
  • alleviate pain
  • enhance bowel control and continence
• neuromuscular re-education improving muscle coordination for efficient emptying of stool
• strengthening of pelvic cavity

The Bottom Line

For colorectal cancer survivors, pelvic floor rehabilitation is essential in restoring function and addressing the often-overlooked side effects of treatment. Pelvic Health Physical Therapy offers options for individuals interested in pre-hab (strengthening and conditioning of the pelvic floor before medical treatment interventions such as surgery) as well as post-op or post radiation therapy. We are here for you throughout the entirety of your healing journey and are experienced to help guide you through the varying pelvic conditions that arise due to colorectal cancer. Our appointments are for one hour and are all with expert pelvic health physical therapists who are certified through Herman and Wallace for Pelvic Rehabilitation.