Hi friends! Today we are going to talk about a way to help improve poops when you have a rectocele—splinting! Keep in mind that this trick is just one of many ways to help with poops. Many other things like pelvic floor muscle training, toilet posture, and good water and fiber intake and are important, too.
Let’s first start by talking about what a rectocele is. A rectocele is a type of pelvic organ prolapse involving the rectum. A rectocele is caused by damage to the tissues that support the rectum. This causes the rectum to fall downward into the vaginal wall (Bo, 2015).
When the rectum is falling into the vaginal wall it can be harder to have a bowel movement successfully because the poop has a harder time flowing smoothly out of the rectum. This can cause us to strain. Overtime, prolonged straining can make any pelvic organ prolapse worse over time!
Rectocele splinting is a technique that provides support to the rectum and vaginal wall to help poop move easier. This technique can be done either internally (through the vagina) or externally (on the outside of the body).
To perform this technique internally, insert a clean finger into the vagina a push up/back onto the vaginal wall (towards the rectum). There is a tool called Femmeze that was designed to make this easier to perform and without having to insert fingers into the vagina. The tool is inserted into the vagina to apply the same pressure. It even comes with a discrete carrying case. Right now it’s only $28 on Amazon! This extra pressure that is applied to the vaginal wall and rectum help poop move out easier.
To perform this same technique externally by applying pressure to the perineum (the small area of skin between the vagina and anus). Wrap your clean hand in some toilet paper, then apply pressure to the perineum while you pass the bowel movement.
If you have a rectocele, try these splinting techniques out to help you poop easier! Check out the five tips below to learn other ways to improve your bowel movements.
Ready to learn more about your pelvic floor muscles? Here are some helpful resources:
Watch Netflix for Your Pelvic Floor at Pelvic Flicks
Watch our YouTube playlist on Bowel Health and Your Pelvic Floor
Learn more about the pelvic floor muscles with our book: My Pelvic Floor Muscles The Basics
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For providers, check our online courses to help your clients. Consider joining our Ambassador Program and most of our courses are included with your membership!
The Role of Probiotics & How to Support the Gut Microbiome for Digestive Disorders with Erin Judge, RDN, LDN
Gut Health Q&A with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Dr. Amanda Olson, PT, DPT, PRPC
Written by Emily Reul, PT, DPT
References
Bo K, Berghmans B, Morkved S, Van Kampen M. Evidenced-based physical therapy for the pelvic floor bridging science and clinical practice. 2nd edition. 2015.