Constipation
Constipation is characterized by a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements, harder and drier stools, and difficulty passing stools.
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
What is constipation?
Constipation is characterized by a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements, harder and drier stools, and difficulty passing stools.
What are the causes of constipation?
Constipation can be organic or functional in nature.
- Organic cause: a medical condition affecting one or more of the body's systems. For example, a neurological disease, an impairment of the gastrointestinal system (stomach, intestine), a psychological condition, etc.
- Certain medications can also cause constipation.
- Functional cause: Functional constipation can be caused by a low-fiber diet, dehydration, a slow transit time of food through the digestive tract, and/or a dysfunction of the bowel movement mechanism.
What are the symptoms of constipation?
- Hard, sticky, or lumpy stools;
- Long, unsatisfying bowel movements less than three times a week;
- Needing assistance to pass stools: digital manipulation, laxatives, straining, change of position (toilet gymnastics);
- Feeling of incomplete emptying, blockage at the exit of stools;
- Unfelt urge to have a bowel movement;
- Sometimes presence of hemorrhoids and/or anal fissures.
We understand this issue and treat it frequently.
How is constipation diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made through a subjective and physical examination in the clinic. There are also medical tests that may be prescribed by a doctor in cases of constipation of organic origin.
How physiotherapy can help with constipation
Your pelvic floor rehabilitation physiotherapist will first perform a complete assessment (e.g., lifestyle habits, posture, breathing, contraction/relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, etc.) to determine the cause(s) of the constipation.
Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:
- Offer personalized advice related to your lifestyle habits to improve stool consistency and intestinal transit;
- Provide advice on defecation techniques and positions;
- Provide you with specific exercises to do at home to address the cause of the problem;
- Mobilize the muscles and soft tissues in the abdomen and pelvic floor.
Finally, if physiotherapy treatments are not sufficient, your physiotherapist will refer you to your doctor to evaluate other options.
When to consult a physiotherapist for constipation
You should consult a physiotherapist if you have one or more of the symptoms described above or if your doctor has ruled out any other causes that may be responsible for your symptoms.
You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.
What to do at home...
- Make sure you have a balanced diet and stay well hydrated.
- Engage in regular physical activity.
- When sitting on the toilet, place your feet on a stool so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips and lean slightly forward.
To learn more
- Canada's Food Guide: https://guide-alimentaire.canada.ca/fr/
- Physical Activity Guide: https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/publications/vie-saine/conseils-activite-physique-adultes-18-64-ans.html
Videos in this category
Other conditions
Hip osteoarthritis is a normal wear and tear of the hip joint. Osteoarthritis is often described as the wearing away of cartilage between our bones. While this is true, it involves more than just cartilage. Cartilage is a tissue that acts like a cushion between the surfaces of our bones, allowing our joints to glide smoothly and move with ease.
It is a normal wear and tear of the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is often described as the wearing away of cartilage between our bones. While this is true, it involves more than just cartilage. Cartilage is a tissue that acts like a cushion between the surfaces of our bones, allowing our joints to glide smoothly and move with ease.
It is a normal wear and tear of the joints in the lower back vertebrae. Osteoarthritis is often described as the wearing away of cartilage between our vertebrae. While this is true, it involves more than just cartilage. Cartilage is a tissue that acts like a cushion between the surfaces of our vertebrae, allowing them to glide smoothly and move with ease.
A bursa is like a small, very thin, fluid-filled sac found in several joints throughout the body. This small sac acts as a cushion in the joint and lubricates structures that are exposed to more friction.
It is an inflammation of the subacromial bursa in the shoulder joint.
It is a tissue that surrounds the shoulder and allows the shoulder bone to stay in place within the joint. The capsule helps to stabilize the joint.
Cervicalgia is a general term to describe neck pain that does not have a specific cause, such as an accident or sudden movement. Cervicalgia is therefore synonymous with ''I have a pain in my neck and nothing in particular happened''.
In both injuries, there is pain felt in the neck that then radiates into the arm, or vice versa.
It is a significant stretch or tear of the muscle fibers in the groin or inner thigh muscles.
It is a significant stretch or tear of the muscle fibers in the hamstring muscles located at the back of the thigh.
This is a significant stretch or tear of the muscle fibers in the calf muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius).
This is a significant stretch or tear of the muscle fibers in the quadriceps, which is the large muscle at the front of the thigh.
Book an appointment now
We offer a triple quality guarantee: optimized time, double physiotherapy assessment, and ongoing expertise for effective care tailored to your needs.
Our clients' satisfaction is our priority.
At Physioactif, excellence defines our approach. But don't take our word for it, see what our patients are saying.
Discover our physiotherapy clinics
We have multiple locations to better serve you.
Blainville
190 Chem. du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse Bureau 110,
Blainville, Quebec
J7B 1A7
Laval
Montreal
St-Eustache
Vaudreuil
21 Cité-des-Jeunes Blvd. Suite 240,
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec
J7V 0N3
Book an appointment now
