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Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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Difficult defecation: difficult problem assessment and management; what really helps?

Adil E Bharucha¹

¹Clinical Enteric Neurosciences Translational and Epidemiological Research Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. bharucha.adil@mayo.edu

Gastroenterology Clinics of North America

|November 22, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Diagnosing defecatory disorders, a common cause of chronic constipation, requires anorectal tests like manometry. Pelvic floor retraining using biofeedback therapy is more effective than laxatives for treatment.

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Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 18, 2023

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Colorectal Surgery
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Background:

Difficult defecation is an underrecognized cause of chronic constipation.
While clinical history and digital rectal examination are valuable, objective diagnostic confirmation is necessary for defecatory disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline the diagnostic approach for defecatory disorders.
To compare the efficacy of pelvic floor retraining with laxatives for managing these conditions.

Main Methods:

Utilized anorectal manometry and rectal balloon expulsion tests for diagnosis.
Considered barium or MR defecography for select cases.
Evaluated colonic transit time.
Compared biofeedback therapy with laxative treatment.

Main Results:

Anorectal manometry and rectal balloon expulsion tests are generally sufficient for diagnosis.
Colonic transit is typically normal or slow in patients with defecatory disorders.
Pelvic floor retraining via biofeedback therapy demonstrated superiority over laxatives in management.

Conclusions:

Defecatory disorders require objective confirmation through anorectal testing.
Biofeedback therapy offers a superior treatment option compared to laxatives for managing difficult defecation and chronic constipation.