Constipation is a common digestive complaint, and constipation is one of the most common. Many people ignore it or treat it with laxatives. But when it lasts for a long time, it can have a big effect on daily comfort, digestion, mood, and even posture.

In this article, we’ll talk about how chronic constipation happens, why the digestive system sometimes needs help from a person, and how visceral osteopathy can help get the intestines moving again.

 

What Is Chronic Constipation?

Chronic constipation is when you have bowel movements that are infrequent, hard, or not complete for weeks or longer. The Rome IV criteria say that it usually includes two or more of the following:

• Less than three bowel movements a week
• Having to push too hard during more than 25% of bowel movements
• Stools that are lumpy or hard
• A feeling of not fully emptying your bowels
• A feeling of blockage in the rectum
• The need for help with manual tasks (like pushing on the stomach.

Constipation that happens once in a while is normal, but chronic constipation affects 15–20% of adults in developed countries. Women and older adults are more likely to have it

Reasons Why People Get Constipated

There are many things that can cause or make constipation worse.

• Not eating enough fiber or drinking enough water
• Living a sedentary life
• Changes in hormones, like those that happen during pregnancy or menopause
• Side effects of drugs like opioids, antidepressants, and others
• IBS and other digestive problems
• Stress and anxiety, which affect how the gut moves through the brain-gut axis
• Problems with the pelvic floor
• Adhesions or scarring in the abdomen after surgery
• Mechanical problems in the pelvis or abdomen

This is where osteopathy, especially visceral osteopathy, comes in. By fixing physical tensions or mobility problems in the abdominal cavity, we can often get the digestive system to work more naturally again.

 

What is visceral osteopathy?

Visceral osteopathy is a type of manual therapy that focuses on how well internal organs can move, especially those in the abdomen and pelvis. It is based on the idea that organs should be able to move freely, just like muscles and joints can move freely with each other and in their anatomical attachments.

If an organ can’t move as freely because of surgery, inflammation, tension, posture, or stress, this can interfere with its function. When someone is constipated, restrictions in the colon, small intestine, mesentery, or surrounding structures (like the diaphragm or pelvic floor) may make it harder for the bowels to move or make it harder for them to coordinate their movements.

 

How Osteopathy Can Help with Long-Term Constipation

Osteopathy looks at constipation from a whole-body point of view, knowing that digestion isn’t just chemical or neurological; it’s also mechanical. Every time we breathe, walk, or change our posture, our organs move. Dysfunction can happen when their movement is restricted.

This is how osteopathic treatment can help:

1. Improving Visceral Mobility
Manual techniques are used to gently release tension and make the colon, especially the sigmoid colon and rectum, which are important for evacuation, move more freely. Working on the mesenteric attachments of the small intestine can also help get fluids moving again and reduce bloating.

2. Supporting the Diaphragm
The diaphragm moves up and down with each breath and also massages the organs in the abdomen. If stress, bad posture, or trauma make it hard for it to move, it might not be able to stimulate the intestines enough. Osteopaths often work on tension in the diaphragm to improve gut motility as a whole.

3. Treating problems with the pelvic floor
Constipation can sometimes be caused by pelvic floor muscles that don’t relax properly when you poop. Osteopathy can help relieve tension, improve alignment, and help the abdomen and pelvic floor work together better by working on the pelvic structures.

4. Reducing tension in the nervous system
Osteopathic work on the autonomic nervous system, especially the vagus nerve and sacral nerves, can help the body switch from “fight or flight” mode to “rest and digest” mode. Techniques used on the skull, spine, and sacrum can help with this regulatory effect.

5. Treating Post-Surgical or Scar Adhesions
C-sections, appendectomies, and hernia repairs are all types of abdominal surgeries that can cause adhesions that restrict organ mobility. Osteopathic techniques help make scar tissue softer and fascial glide better, which lets organs move more naturally.

 

Is There Scientific Evidence?

Visceral osteopathy is a well-known and well-supported practice, but it is still a new area of research. A 2018 systematic review (PLoS One) found some evidence that manual therapy, including visceral techniques, can help some people with gastrointestinal problems.

Another study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies in 2020 found that patients who received visceral manipulation had more regular bowel movements and less stomach pain than those who did not.

While the mechanisms of action are not fully understood, patients commonly report:

• Reduced bloating and discomfort
• Improved bowel regularity
• Less straining and urgency
• Better posture and abdominal tone

 

What to Expect during a Session

Your osteopath will begin with a detailed case history, including digestive habits, surgical history, diet, stress, and posture. A hands-on assessment of abdominal tension, organ mobility, and breathing patterns follows.

Treatments may include:

• Soft techniques for the stomach
• Release of the diaphragm
• Pelvic and spinal mobilizations
• Changes in posture
• Breathing education and lifestyle advice

After a few sessions, patients usually feel lighter, more relaxed, and notice gradual improvement in regularity over several sessions.

 

More tips to support treatment

Osteopathic care works best when it is paired with help with daily activities:

• Stay hydrated and eat foods high in fiber.
• Move regularly—walking stimulates gut motility
• Do breathing exercises with your diaphragm.
• Use relaxation techniques to deal with stress.

 

Conclusion: A Natural Path Toward Digestive Balance

Constipation that lasts for a long time is not just a problem with the gut; it is a problem with the whole body that can often be gently fixed with osteopathic care. Visceral osteopathy is a unique, non-invasive way to help your body move naturally again and improve your digestive health.

If you’re struggling with constipation that doesn’t respond to conventional methods, our clinic is here to help. We can work together to find a hands-on, respectful, and personalized way to ease your pain and restore rhythm to your digestive system.