Pelvic Floor Therapy for Children: Signs Your Child May Benefit and Why It Works
Pelvic floor therapy for children is a specialized, evidence-based treatment that helps improve bladder and bowel control, core coordination, and functional independence. The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder and bowel and work closely with the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and nervous system to control continence. When these muscles are weak, uncoordinated, or overly tight, children can experience accidents, constipation, urinary urgency, or difficulty fully emptying.
At Southern Pediatric Therapy, pelvic floor therapy is designed specifically for children and delivered in a developmentally appropriate, play-based way that builds confidence and long-term success.
What Is Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pediatric pelvic floor therapy focuses on improving:
Bladder control
Bowel function
Muscle coordination
Core strength
Body awareness
Nervous system regulation
Unlike adult pelvic therapy, children’s therapy emphasizes education, movement, breathing, and retraining muscle coordination patterns through guided exercises and functional activities.
Signs Your Child Could Benefit from Pelvic Floor Therapy
Many families assume children will “grow out of” bladder or bowel challenges. While that can happen, persistent symptoms often signal underlying muscle coordination or nervous system patterns that can be addressed with therapy.
Your child may benefit if they experience:
Daytime urinary accidents beyond age 5
Bedwetting that continues past developmental norms
Urinary urgency or frequent bathroom trips
Constipation or painful bowel movements
Stool leakage (encopresis)
Difficulty sensing when they need to go
Holding behaviors (crossing legs, squatting, avoiding the bathroom)
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Straining to urinate or difficulty emptying
These symptoms are often connected to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, poor coordination between the bladder and brain, or habitual holding patterns.
The Science Behind Why Pelvic Floor Therapy Works
Pelvic floor therapy works because it addresses the neuromuscular system, not just the symptoms.
1. Muscle Coordination and Strength
The pelvic floor muscles must contract and relax at the right time. Many children either:
Stay too tight (leading to constipation or incomplete emptying), or
Have weak or poorly timed contractions (leading to leakage).
Therapy retrains these timing patterns.
2. Brain-Bladder Communication
Continence relies on clear signals between the bladder, spinal cord, and brain. Research shows that bladder control is a learned coordination skill involving sensory awareness and executive functioning. Therapy improves a child’s ability to recognize internal cues and respond appropriately.
3. The Core Canister Connection
The pelvic floor works with the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and deep back muscles. Breathing patterns directly affect pelvic floor function. Many children with bowel and bladder issues also demonstrate shallow breathing or poor core stability. Therapy integrates breathing mechanics to restore coordination.
4. Neuroplasticity
Children’s nervous systems are highly adaptable. Through repetition, targeted exercises, and functional practice, the brain forms stronger connections that improve muscle control and sensory awareness. This is why pediatric pelvic therapy can be so effective when delivered consistently.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Helps
At Southern Pediatric Therapy, sessions may include:
Education about bladder and bowel function (age appropriate)
Breathing retraining to coordinate diaphragm and pelvic floor
Core strengthening and postural work
Relaxation strategies for overactive muscles
Scheduled voiding programs
Sensory awareness training
Functional movement activities
Parents are also given practical strategies to implement at home, which significantly improves outcomes.
Success Stories from Southern Pediatric Therapy
Families at Southern Pediatric Therapy have seen meaningful changes through pelvic floor therapy.
Parents have reported that children who struggled with daily accidents gained independence and confidence within months of structured intervention. Others who experienced chronic constipation and withholding behaviors began having regular, pain-free bowel movements after learning how to relax and coordinate their pelvic floor muscles.
Several families have shared that therapy not only reduced accidents but improved overall body awareness and confidence at school and in social settings. Children who once avoided sleepovers or classroom activities due to embarrassment were able to participate fully after treatment.
These outcomes reflect what research supports: when the underlying muscle coordination and nervous system patterns are addressed, functional improvements follow.
How Long Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Take?
Every child is different, but many children attend therapy weekly for several months. Progress depends on:
Severity of symptoms
Consistency with home strategies
Muscle coordination patterns
Sensory processing factors
Early intervention often leads to faster results.
Is Pelvic Floor Therapy Only for Severe Cases?
No. Therapy can benefit children with mild symptoms just as much as those with more complex challenges. Addressing concerns early can prevent long-term bladder and bowel dysfunction.
When to Seek Help
If your child’s bladder or bowel difficulties are affecting:
School participation
Sleep
Social activities
Confidence
Daily routines
It may be time to seek an evaluation.
Pelvic floor therapy is safe, research-informed, and designed specifically for children. With the right intervention, children can develop the skills and coordination needed for lasting independence.
If you would like to learn more about pelvic floor therapy services at Southern Pediatric Therapy, contact our team to schedule an evaluation and determine whether this specialized therapy is right for your child.
📞 662-469-2906
📧 info@spt-team.com
Request an appointment here: https://www.southernpediatrictherapy.com/request-an-appointment