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Related Experiment Videos

Managing a patient's constipation with physical therapy.

Kendra L Harrington1, Esther M Haskvitz

  • 1Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Washington, DC 20307, USA. kendra.harrington@na.amedd.army.mil

Physical Therapy
|November 3, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Abdominal massage in physical therapy effectively resolved constipation in an 85-year-old woman. This conservative approach offers a side-effect-free alternative for managing chronic constipation when typical treatments fail.

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Physical Therapy
  • Conservative Management

Background:

  • Constipation is a common condition in the US, often treated with diet, stool softeners, and laxatives.
  • These conventional treatments are not always effective for all patients.
  • Physical therapy offers a potential alternative for managing constipation.

Observation:

  • An 85-year-old female patient with constipation unresponsive to stool softeners was referred for physical therapy.
  • The patient received instruction in bowel management and a daily 10-minute abdominal massage routine.
  • This case report details the physical therapist's management of constipation.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced a return to normal bowel frequency and function.
  • She no longer required straining or digital evacuation for bowel movements.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Abdominal massage, as part of physical therapy, appeared to resolve the patient's constipation.

    • Implications:

    • Physical therapy incorporating abdominal massage may be a beneficial intervention for constipation.
    • Abdominal massage presents a non-pharmacological, potentially side-effect-free treatment option.
    • This approach could offer an alternative to traditional medical management for constipation.