October 2025

Kicking off with Halloween, this time of year often marks the start of a season of indulgence — and digestion can get off track.

 

While we’re not ones to judge, shifts in nutrition and routine (especially with all the travel and treats) can affect bowel health more than we realize.

 

What many people don’t know is that pelvic floor therapists are uniquely equipped to address symptoms like bloating and constipation — often overlooked but incredibly common issues, especially in midlife.

 

With that in mind, we’re thrilled to spotlight Lauren Kirov, a pelvic health specialist at Individual PT in Scotch Plains, whose approach blends expert knowledge with personalized care.

 

Lauren has over 10 years of clinical experience. She earned her Bachelor’s in Health Science Studies and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University.

 

She began her career treating orthopedic, neurological, and chronic pain conditions at JFK Johnson Rehab Institute. After the birth of her daughter, Lauren faced her own challenges with pelvic floor dysfunction — a turning point that led her to specialize in pelvic health.

 

Now, she works to support and empower women, especially during midlife and menopause, to advocate for their health and overcome pelvic floor symptoms.

 

A: Holiday eating patterns are often outside our norms and can include higher levels of processed sugars and increased alcohol intake. Processed sugar, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can all irritate the bladder, leading to urinary urgency and frequency.

 

Excessive sweets and lack of fiber can cause inflammation in the gut, decreased colon motility, and abdominal discomfort — especially if we eat more than usual in one sitting. A holiday morning walk or some form of exercise is a great way to get the digestive tract moving.

 

Tip: Include fruits, veggies, or whole grains at meals, and sip water between bites to help with stool consistency and hydration.

 

If your pelvic floor symptoms increase during the holidays, know that it’s usually temporary — once you’re back in routine, things should return to normal. If not, pelvic PT can help.

 

 

A: The biggest challenge with travel is constipation! Bowels love habits, and travel tends to be outside normal routine. There are a few things you can do to combat constipation while traveling.

• Stay hydrated — its essential and keeps stool soft and easier to pass.

• Eat fiber — whole grains, fruits, and green veggies are key. Adding a fiber supplement may be helpful as well.

• Use a toileting stool — elevate your knees above your hips to help the muscles around your rectum relax.

 

You can improvise: a trash can or extra rolls of toilet paper work just fine.

 

A: The “ILU” massage works really well for abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. By applying pressure along the large intestine, we are stimulating motility of whatever is trapped.

 

The idea is to perform the massage if you’re having discomfort — and then sit on the toilet shortly after if you feel an urge to pass gas or stool.

 

A: A pelvic PT evaluation starts by reviewing your medical history and discussing your current symptoms. We’ll provide education about the pelvic floor — how it functions and how it relates to your symptoms.

 

Then we assess posture, strength, range of motion, and any neural tension. For digestion issues, we also assess abdominal wall tension, breathing, and pressure management.

 

It gives helpful information, but it’s very different from a GYN exam — we’re evaluating muscle function, not doing a medical procedure.

 

Finally, you’ll leave with one or two home exercises to begin your recovery.

 

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