What is Constipation?
Constipation is when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent. According to webmd.com you are considered constipated if you have two or more of the following for at least 3 months:
Straining during a bowel movement more than 25% of the time
Hard stools more than 25% of the time
Incomplete evacuation more than 25% of the time
Two or fewer bowel movements in a week
Constipation can be caused by a variety of things including: dehydration, lack of fiber in diet, a disruption of diet or routine, inadequate activity and stress.
What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea describes bowel movements that are loose and watery. The most common causes of diarrhea are viruses that infect the gut. The infection (otherwise known as a stomach flu) will usually last a few days. Diarrhea is also caused by eating foods that upset the digestive system, certain medications, allergies, and stress.
Can Chiropractors Help Digestive Issues?
Constipation and diarrhea are symptoms: the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. While they might seem like they are from different ends of the spectrum, they are both caused by problems within the digestive system. And, these symptoms most often begin with stress!!
Stress can manifest in different ways:
Constipation occurs when the bowels no longer move smoothly.
Diarrhea occurs when food is not digested, and the body tries to flush it out!
Devoting a certain amount of time per week to positive stress management techniques (like meditation, yoga, etc.) is important and can help soothe tummy problems aggravated by anxiety.
What else can cause constipation and diarrhea?
Stress within the spine! How? The digestive system is controlled by nerves. Nerves come from the spine! If the spine is stressed, it slips out of alignment… the result? The nerves don’t work too well!
It’s called a subluxation, and you CANNOT feel it! You may be trying every other remedy, not realizing that a subluxation is the problem!
Yourspine.com explains how chiropractic adjustments can help with digestive issues, particularly constipation:
“Muscles in the intestine push stool to the anus, where stool leaves the body. Special nerve cells in the intestine, called ganglion cells, make the muscles push. These nerves connect directly to the celiac ganglion, in turn connects to the spinal cord (and the brain) through nerve roots that exit the spine in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar region.
Pressure on these nerve roots caused by misalignment of the vertebrae in this area may interfere with the normal function of the bowel as well as other organs of the digestive system.”
So next time you are experiencing digestive issues consider a trip to your chiropractor. They will be able to assess whether your tummy problems are the cause of a spinal misalignment or something else.
And don’t forget to pass this information on to your family and friends!
Click here if you are seeking for a healthier lifestyle and chiropractic care or give us a call and make your new patient appointment. I look forward to seeing you and creating immense value for you. To read up on more health and wellness tips follow our blog here.
References
Your Spine
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
www.niddk.nih.gov