Can massage help you if you are constipated?

Recently scientists have looked at the impact of abdominal massage on people with constipation.

Constipation affects twice as many women as men.  Older people are more likely to be affected and in addition taking certain medications e.g. opioids can cause it.

A randomised control trail of 204 patients with constipation (from opioid medication), were split into two equal groups.  The intervention group were taught how to administer abdominal massage on themselves, in a clockwise direction over the intestines on the abdominal wall, which they performed twice a day for four weeks after breakfast & dinner.

The control group received standard medical care, such as laxatives, suppositories and enemas.

Both groups were asked to keep a diary of their bowel movements and to complete three questionnaires, including the Bristol stool scale for evaluating stools and bowel habits, the visual analogue scale, which contains questions about constipation, including severity, straining & pain.

Patients in the massage group reported significant improvements in stool consistency, straining during defecation, the feeling of incomplete emptying after defecation and experienced increase bowel movements.  They also reported a reduction in the severity of constipation, pain, straining, gas & fullness in the rectum.  However, the massage had no effect on the stool amount.

The researchers concluded that abdominal massage was an effective approach for managing opioid induced constipation.  So if you suffer from constipation consider abdominal massage.

Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31358243

Related Posts

  • What helps carpal tunnel syndrome?

    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)mis caused by compression of the median nerve creating tingling, numbness and pain.  For people with really severe CTS or where other teatments have failed [...]

  • What is good standing posture?

    We all know we need to maintain good posture, but what exactly is good standing posture? Good standing posture When standing, keep these tips in mind:

    • Keep your shoulders back and relaxed.
    • Pull in your abdomen.
    • Keep your feet about hip distance apart.
    • Balance your weight evenly on both feet.
    • Let your hands hang naturally at your sides.
    Try not to tilt your head forward, backward or sideways, and make sure your knees are relaxed — not locked.

    Take the wall test

    To test your standing posture, take the wall test. Stand with your head, shoulder blades and buttocks touching a wall, and have your heels about 2 to 4 inches (about 5 to 10 centimeters) away from the wall. Reach back and slide your hand behind the curve in your lower back, with your palm flat against the wall. Ideally, you'll feel about one hand's thickness of space between your back and the wall. If there's too much space, tighten your abdominal muscles to flatten the curve in your back. If there's too little space, arch your back so that your hand fits comfortably behind you. Walk away from the wall while maintaining this posture. Keep it up throughout your daily activities.

    Check out your reflection

    To see if you're keeping your shoulders straight, stand in front of a mirror. Aim to keep your shoulders square and relaxed.

    It all adds up

    Although good posture should be natural, you might feel wooden or stiff at first if you've forgotten the sensation of standing up straight. The key is to practice good posture all the time.  Remember its never to late to start practicing good posture.  

  • Is massage safe when you are pregnant?

    I know the top priority for pregnant women is to keep the baby safe. With this in mind I want to start by stating there is no evidence that demonstrates

    • massage can induce labour
    • massage can cause miscarriages
    • massage creates complications
    It is important to remember women's bodies were designed to become pregnant and nuture a baby to full term.  Pregnancy is not an illness.  In addition pregnancy can't be made worse by massage.  Muscles are still muscles, joints remain joints, nerves stay nerves. The effects of massage on muscles is the same if you are pregnant or not pregant.   It is common sense that the masseur ensure that the pregnant women is comfortable normally by lying them on their side and proping them up with cushions. So in short massage is safe for pregnant women.