When all you need is someone who understands

Encopresis is when a child regularly soils their underwear after the age they would usually be toilet trained. For many children, this happens because of long-term constipation, stool withholding, or reduced awareness of the body’s signals that tell them they need to do a poo. When stool builds up in the bowel over time, the rectum can stretch and become less sensitive. This means children may not feel the urge to go, and softer stool can leak around the blockage without them realising. This can be frustrating and upsetting for both children and parents, but it is very common and treatable. Pelvic health physiotherapy can play an important role in helping children manage encopresis by improving bowel habits, supporting healthy toileting routines, and helping the bowel return to normal function. Treatment may include: Education for both parents and children about how the bowel works and why soiling happens Helping children develop regular toilet routines, especially after meals when the bowel is naturally more active Improving toilet posture, including correct foot support and positioning, to make bowel motions easier to pass Teaching breathing and relaxation strategies to reduce straining, fear, or withholding behaviours Supporting children to better recognise body signals and respond to the urge to open their bowels Addressing pelvic floor muscle tension or coordination difficulties that may affect bowel emptying Working through sensory challenges, toileting anxiety, or distractions that may contribute to accidents Pelvic health physiotherapy is gentle, supportive, and child-focused. Appointments are designed to help children feel safe and comfortable while also giving parents practical strategies to use at home. The goal is to reduce accidents, improve bowel emptying, and make toileting a less stressful experience for the whole family. With patience and the right support, children can regain confidence and work toward long-term healthy bowel habits.

Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is very common in children. It is rarely intentional and is usually part of normal development, especially when children sleep very deeply and do not wake to bladder signals. There are a few reasons this can happen. Some children produce more urine overnight, some have a smaller bladder capacity, and others are still developing the brain–bladder connection needed to recognise and respond to a full bladder during sleep. It can also run in families, so a family history of bedwetting is common. A bedwetting alarm is one of the most effective treatment options. It works by detecting moisture as soon as wetting starts and then sounding or vibrating to wake the child. The aim is for the child to wake, stop urinating, and finish in the toilet. Over time, this helps train the brain to respond earlier to bladder signals during sleep. In the beginning, many children do not wake fully to the alarm and may need a parent to help them get up and use the toilet. With consistent use, this response usually improves, and children gradually start waking on their own. It is important that bedwetting is managed with patience and reassurance. It is not a behaviour issue, and children are not doing it on purpose. Pressure or punishment can make things more stressful and does not help with progress. Alongside alarm use, simple bladder habits can support progress, such as regular daytime toileting, good fluid intake earlier in the day, and managing constipation if present, as this can impact bladder function. Pelvic health physiotherapy can also provide support. A pelvic health physio can help set up and explain how to use a bedwetting alarm, making sure families feel confident from the start. We guide you on where to place the sensor, how to respond when it goes off, and what steps to follow overnight to build consistency. We also help troubleshoot common challenges and adjust the plan if needed, to improve the chances of success. Alongside this, we provide education and a structured plan tailored to the child and family, helping to support progress and confidence over time.