Magnesium for Constipation and Gut Health: What a Pelvic Floor PT Wants You to Know
By: Ashley Roessler, PTA, CPT, PCESLet’s talk about something a little uncomfortable but incredibly important: CONSTIPATION. At Edge Physical Therapy, we see so many patients struggling with digestive issues like infrequent, hard, or difficult bowel movements. What most people don’t realize is how closely gut health and pelvic floor function are connected and how those things affect our bowel movements.
Whether you’re dealing with bloating, incomplete emptying, or having to push and strain to go: these symptoms can create tension and dysfunction in your pelvic floor muscles. Over time this can lead to issues such as: urinary urgency, leaking, low back pain, abdominal pressure and cramping, pelvic tension, and even pelvic organ prolapse. Because of this our first conversation with patients includes simple tools and strategies to support digestion and motility. An amazing tool we have in our arsenal is magnesium.
What is Magnesium and How Does it Help with Constipation?
Most of our patients have tried Fiber for constipation, but what about Magnesium? Magnesium is a mineral that supports hundreds of functions in the body; including muscle relaxation and nerve regulation, both important when it comes to motility and digestion. When it comes to gut health, it plays a key role in relaxing the muscles in your intestines, which helps food and waste move through more smoothly.
Certain forms of magnesium, like magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide, have an osmotic effect - meaning they draw water into the colon. This softens stool and can make bowel movements easier to pass and more regular without harsh stimulants.
For people with stress-related constipation magnesium glycinate may be helpful. It supports a calm nervous system and gentle muscle relaxation throughout the body, including the pelvic floor. Here at Edge Physical Therapy we most often recommend magnesium glycinate as many, if not most, of our patients experience stress related constipation. This can be caused by mental and emotional stress.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Fits In
So if you’ve tried everything: fiber, hydration, probiotics, laxatives, even stool softeners - but still feel backed up. It’s time to dig deeper and find the root cause. Constipation is just the symptom, but why? Pelvic floor physical therapy addresses both the muscular and behavioral patterns that impact your ability to go regularly.
We often work with people who are unknowingly bearing down through the pelvic floor improperly. Whether they are holding tension in their abdomen or pelvic floor or have trouble coordinating the muscles required for a full and easy bowel movement. We use tools like tactile and verbal feedback, movement retraining, hands-on techniques, and yes—nutrition and supplement discussions. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptom.
We also teach something called “pelvic floor drop” breathing or “pelvic floor lengthening” to help calm the nervous system, relax the pelvic floor and improve bowel motility naturally. When combined with strategies like proper magnesium supplementation (when appropriate), the results can be life-changing and long-lasting. Our goal is always forever!
A Personalized Plan for you and your Gut Health
At Edge Physical Therapy our approach is not one-size-fits-all. We will take all of the information gathered in your appointments and we’ll help you find the right mix of movement, manual therapy, lifestyle changes, and safe and guided supplement use. Together we will work to restore your gut health and pelvic function.
Take the First Step Towards Pain Relief
If you’re in Moses Lake and are dealing with constipation, pelvic pain, or other gut-related issues, we’re here to help. Book a pelvic health assessment today and take the first step toward regular, pain-free pooping and a healthier, happier gut. Let’s get your Edge back!
Don’t let constipation hold you back! Take the first step towards relief by consulting with a pelvic health physical therapist today.
