Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Yoga and other alternative activities for Constipation

Although I don't suffer from constipation much, I thought this may be of interest to those of you who do...

Alternative Treatments for Constipation (after diet and exercise have not given enough relief):

Acupressure
This needleless form of acupuncture is said to relax the abdomen, ease discomfort, and stimulate regular bowel movements when diet and exercise fail to do so. After lying down, the patient closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. For two minutes, he applies gentle fingertip pressure to a point about two and one-half inches below the navel.

Accupressure can also be applied to the outer edges of one elbow crease and maintained for 30 seconds before pressing the crease of the other elbow. This should be done three times a day to relieve constipation.

Aromatherapy
Six drops of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and six drops of thyme (Thymus spp.) diluted by 1 oz of almond oil, olive oil, or another carrier oil can relieve constipation when used to massage the abdomen.

Massage
Massaging the leg from knee to hip in the morning, at night, and before trying to move the bowels is said to relieve constipation. There is also a specific Swedish massage technique that can help relieve constipation.

Yoga
The knee-chest position, said to relieve gas and stimulate abdominal organs, involves:

standing straight with arms at the sides
lifting the right knee toward the chest
grasping the right ankle with the left hand
pulling the leg as close to the chest as possible
holding the position for about eight seconds
repeating these steps with the left leg
The cobra position, which can be repeated as many as four time a day, involves:

lying on the stomach with legs together
placing the palms just below the shoulders, holding elbows close to the body
inhaling, then lifting the head (face forward) and chest off the floor
keeping the navel in contact with the floor
looking as far upward as possible
holding this position for three to six seconds
exhaling and lowering the chest

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