Osteopathy Treats Constipation

Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. So passing stools less than usual could be a sign of constipation. Other symptoms of constipation may include stomach ache and cramps, feeling bloated, feeling sick, loss of appetite and lack of energy. Constipation has many possible causes. Constipation most commonly occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated effectively, which may cause the stool to become hard and dry.

Constipation is not uncommon in acute fevers, the first few days of holiday, following surgery, emotional upset, limited dietary fiber (indigestible plant matter), not enough fluids, lack of physical activity and specific medications. If it persists for no good reason, it should be investigated, especially as some serious bowel disorders are heralded by changes in bowel habits.

Impaired spinal mechanics and mobility can affect bowel function. These conditions include degenerative conditions of the disc and spinal joints, chronic stiffness of the spine and pelvis, and acute joint strains with localised inflammation which may impact on nerve function. Some children and adults who are born breech can experience constipation due to early stress in the lumbar and pelvic area. Serious disc prolapses can cause not only loss of movement in the bowel but urinary retention and leg paralysis. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. It is important not to over-treat constipation with laxatives in place of seeking medical advice

Conventional medical treatment for constipation typically consists of dietary modification, increased fluid intake and exercise frequency, but many people do not respond to these interventions. Over the counter and prescription medications can help relieve the symptoms.

Osteopathy can help with constipation once serious disease had been ruled out. Osteopathic treatment may restore normal function to the digestive system and related musculoskeletal structures and provide a viable treatment for constipation. The treatment starts with a detailed consultation to understand the story of what is happening with the person and not just the colon.

Osteopathy assists functional and structural imbalances throughout the body including musculoskeletal, nervous, digestive and lymphatic dysfunction. It evaluates and treats the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, fascia, and musculoskeletal system thereby revitalizing a person and relieving symptoms of pain, dysfunction, and poor posture.

Some constipation is helped by gentle visceral osteopathy and myofascial techniques directed at taking tension out of the fascia surrounding the digestive organs that can build up over time. Other focus of osteopathic manipulation is on joint articulation, cranial osteopathy and myofascial release of the spine and pelvis.

It important to clear the long-term blockages brought about by years of physical and emotional stress. It is very tiring for our bodies holding in these blockages, even if we are not aware of them.

We can then start to get the nutritional benefit from the food we eat, rather than our bodies using energy to process the food.

View a list of common complains that Osteopathy can assist with

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