Constipation – Difficulty Passing Stools
Constipation is when bowel movements become infrequent, hard, or difficult to pass. You might strain, feel incomplete emptying, or go several days without a proper movement. This page focuses on functional constipation — where the bowel structure is normal, but movement or muscle coordination is impaired.
Common Triggers
- Low dietary fibre — insufficient bulk slows transit and dries stool
- Dehydration — colon reabsorbs too much water, hardening stool
- Pelvic floor tension — tightness blocks the outlet even with the urge
- Abdominal muscle bracing — chronic “holding in” restricts movement
- Sedentary lifestyle — lack of motion reduces gut motility
- Ignoring the urge — waiting allows stool to harden and enlarge
- Certain medications — opioids, aluminium antacids, iron supplements, some antidepressants
- Dietary patterns — low-fibre processed foods, excess dairy in sensitive people
- Stress and anxiety — sympathetic arousal slows digestion and tightens muscles
- Poor toilet posture — hips at 90° kink the rectum; squatting straightens it
How to Solve It
- Use positions that align the rectum and allow gravity to help
- Release pelvic floor and abdominal tension before and during a bowel movement
- Stimulate natural peristalsis with gentle movement and abdominal massage
- Support stool softness with hydration and fibre
- Time bowel movements to coincide with natural gastrocolic reflex (often after meals)
Expanded Step-by-Step Relief Program
Step 1 — Left-Side Lying with Knee Hug (5–10 minutes)
Goal: ease stool movement and release trapped gas from the splenic flexure
- Lie on your left side with knees bent; place a pillow between knees.
- Hug knees gently toward chest — avoid compressing the belly too tightly.
- Inhale through the nose, expanding the belly; exhale slowly, letting pelvic floor soften.
- Imagine stool sliding down the descending colon toward the rectum with each breath.
Why it works — follows the colon’s natural path, uses gravity, and relaxes outlet muscles for easier passage.
Step 2 — Wind-Relieving Pose (Apanasana, 1–2 minutes)
Goal: massage intestines and stimulate peristalsis
- Lie on your back; bring both knees toward your chest.
- Wrap arms around shins; rock slowly side-to-side.
- Inhale belly expansion into thighs; exhale and imagine trapped gas or stool moving along.
Imagery — picture your colon as a soft, flexible tube being gently massaged from inside.
Step 3 — Seated Forward Rock (1–2 minutes)
Goal: promote stool movement without lying down
- Sit with feet flat, knees apart, leaning forward so belly rests lightly between thighs.
- Rock gently forward and back, breathing slowly.
- Exhale and imagine your pelvic outlet opening like a soft drawstring loosening.
Step 4 — Toilet Release Sequence (during bowel movement)
Goal: empty fully without straining
- Feet elevated on a small stool, knees above hips; lean forward slightly.
- Inhale belly expansion; exhale slowly while letting pelvic floor drop and anus soften.
- Option: gentle forward-back rocking to stimulate rectal reflex.
Imagery — think of a flower slowly opening on the exhale rather than pushing hard.
Step 5 — Gentle Post-Movement Walk (5–10 minutes)
Goal: support remaining stool movement and prevent blockage
- Walk slowly, keeping posture upright and abdomen soft.
- Focus on relaxed breathing — no holding tension in belly or glutes.
When to Seek Medical Help
- Severe or sudden abdominal pain
- Blood in stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- No improvement after 3 weeks of consistent changes