How to holistically heal...constipation
When you have constipation, consider this…
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In this edition…
Healing: When you have constipation, consider this…
Reverence: Gentle herbs for alleviating constipation
Exploring: Good toilet habits
Healing encompasses a comprehensive holistic approach, acknowledging the intricate web of factors that shape our well-being: our health, inheritance & genetics, environment, relationships, creativity, spirituality & self-care. Reverence is the deep respect & attention to the things that truly impact healing. Exploring is the journey into the deeper work, meeting the parts, wounds & survival strategies that keep us small, stuck & suffering with persistent symptoms & feelings.
Pic: A blocked passage
1. Healing: When you have constipation, consider this…
Back in March, I wrote "How To Holistically Heal… bowel irregularity”. This term encapsulates both the frequency and consistency of bowel movements, advocating for predictable and consistent elimination where stools are soft and easily passed. Typically, bowel regularity involves one or more bowel movements daily, although variations exist for some individuals and still fall within normal ranges.
In that piece, I explored potential considerations and underlying causes, emphasising the gut microbiome's significant influence on bowel health and how stress impacts this dynamic. Today, I wish to delve deeper into the specifics of constipation—a prevalent condition I encounter in my clinic. For many patients, by the time they come to see me, they have already undergone a colonoscopy or had an abdominal X-ray. These diagnostic procedures are commonly employed to investigate the underlying causes of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as prolonged constipation, abdominal pain, or irregular bowel movements. While we achieve considerable success in addressing the causes and restoring regularity for about 90% of our patients, the remaining 10% present unresolved challenges. This discrepancy often prompts deep reflection on the nature of healing.
Healing, as I have often shared, is not a singular event but a continuous journey of unfolding and understanding the various elements that contribute to stress, symptoms, and dis-ease. It involves an interconnected approach that embraces the mind, body, spirit, and soul. The solutions are not always immediately apparent nor readily addressable.
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