Constipation Hacks: 5 quick and easy strategies for constipation relief
Like most health concerns, constipation is multifaceted in nature. As such, it is important to take a holistic approach in considering all possible contributing factors such as nutrition (fiber intake), hydration, pelvic floor function, movement, and nervous system regulation.
You should be having at least one bowel movement per day that is passed easily within 3-5 minutes of sitting on the toilet. If this is something you’re struggling with, try these 5 tips below:
Use a squatty potty to elevate your knees over your hips while sitting on the toilet to optimize the length of your pelvic floor muscles and improve ease with passing stool to completely empty your bowels.
Incorporate movement and exercise to improve colon motility, blood circulation, and lymphatic flow to your bowels. Try pelvic floor stretches such as happy baby and deep squatting to relax pelvic floor muscles or go on a walk or run to help get things moving.
Consider a magnesium citrate supplement to increase the amount of water in the intestines which helps with better bowel movements. Always consult with a healthcare provider before adding supplements to your regimen.
Stay hydrated by drinking ½ your bodyweight in ounces of pure plain water per day to help with better bowel movements and to make your fiber consumption effective.
Take two deep breaths every hour to help regulate your nervous system by stimulating a parasympathetic response for improved digestion and relaxation.
For those struggling with constipation, exploring the connection between pelvic floor dysfunction and digestive issues can open doors to effective, holistic solutions. If you're not able to move your bowels at least once per day and traditional interventions haven't provided relief, consider consulting with one of our pelvic floor physical therapists at Uplift Pelvic Health and Performance!
"I have loved my experience at Uplift and 100% recommend it! Dr. Lauren has been so helpful through the middle of my pregnancy and postpartum. She helped me get prepared for labor and I attribute my smooth labor and delivery to all the exercises she taught me! I really like that this practice is more holistic. She evaluates your lifestyle and how you move your body on a daily basis and how everything is tied together to promote healing. She makes you feel comfortable at each visit. Love her!"
"Uplift PT has been a wonderful resource and support during my pregnancy. Dr. Lauren is so knowledgeable and can explain everything in a way that is so easy to understand. She helps me problem solve ways to continue exercising in the way I love while managing how my body changes in pregnancy. I would highly recommend checking them out!"
"Uplift PT has been an absolute game changer for me during this pregnancy. It’s my first so I didn’t know what to expect and when I started to experience hip pain Dr. Lauren was able to get me pain free and back to doing some of the things that I love. She does a great job educating patients and is very supportive of our goals. I can’t recommend her enough!"
"Uplift PT has been a wonderful resource and support during my pregnancy. Dr. Lauren is so knowledgeable and can explain everything in a way that is so easy to understand. She helps me problem solve ways to continue exercising in the way I love while managing how my body changes in pregnancy. I would highly recommend checking them out!"
"Uplift PT has been an absolute game changer for me during this pregnancy. It’s my first so I didn’t know what to expect and when I started to experience hip pain Dr. Lauren was able to get me pain free and back to doing some of the things that I love. She does a great job educating patients and is very supportive of our goals. I can’t recommend her enough!"
"Lauren is so knowledgeable and helpful with pelvic floor healing and also preparing for having a healthy pelvic future. She listens to your goals and concerns, and tailors your program to work with your daily life and your activity level. Absolutely recommend Lauren!"
"Uplift PT has been an absolute game changer for me during this pregnancy. It’s my first so I didn’t know what to expect and when I started to experience hip pain Dr. Lauren was able to get me pain free and back to doing some of the things that I love. She does a great job educating patients and is very supportive of our goals. I can’t recommend her enough!"
"Lauren is so knowledgeable and helpful with pelvic floor healing and also preparing for having a healthy pelvic future. She listens to your goals and concerns, and tailors your program to work with your daily life and your activity level. Absolutely recommend Lauren!"
"Working with Lauren dramatically improved my c-section and general postpartum recovery. She even helped me with other aches and pains, and has a really wide span of knowledge for the practical recovery questions. I never heard a dismissive “that’s normal” to anything I said, and she consistently followed up on any remark I made, no matter how small."
"Lauren is so knowledgeable and helpful with pelvic floor healing and also preparing for having a healthy pelvic future. She listens to your goals and concerns, and tailors your program to work with your daily life and your activity level. Absolutely recommend Lauren!"
"Working with Lauren dramatically improved my c-section and general postpartum recovery. She even helped me with other aches and pains, and has a really wide span of knowledge for the practical recovery questions. I never heard a dismissive “that’s normal” to anything I said, and she consistently followed up on any remark I made, no matter how small."
"Highly recommend Dr. Lauren and Uplift! I started seeing her during the end of my pregnancy and she’s been wonderful. Extremely knowledgeable with all things related to pelvic health and is helping my body and mind feel more prepared for birth!"
"Working with Lauren dramatically improved my c-section and general postpartum recovery. She even helped me with other aches and pains, and has a really wide span of knowledge for the practical recovery questions. I never heard a dismissive “that’s normal” to anything I said, and she consistently followed up on any remark I made, no matter how small."
"Highly recommend Dr. Lauren and Uplift! I started seeing her during the end of my pregnancy and she’s been wonderful. Extremely knowledgeable with all things related to pelvic health and is helping my body and mind feel more prepared for birth!"
"Dr Lauren is absolutely amazing! She helped me so much during pregnancy and helped prepare for delivery with second child. Seeing her postpartum has helped with so many things I’ve had going on. I wish I would have had her with my first pregnancy/postpartum. I can’t recommend her enough to anyone looking for a pelvic floor therapist for any reason and tell everyone I know about her!"
Dr Lauren is absolutely amazing! She helped me so much during pregnancy and helped prepare for delivery with second child. Seeing her postpartum has helped with so many things I’ve had going on. I wish I would have had her with my first pregnancy/postpartum. I can’t recommend her enough to anyone looking for a pelvic floor therapist for any reason and tell everyone I know about her!
I have loved my experience at Uplift and 100% recommend it! Dr. Lauren has been so helpful through the middle of my pregnancy and postpartum. She helped me get prepared for labor and I attribute my smooth labor and delivery to all the exercises she taught me! I really like that this practice is more holistic. She evaluates your lifestyle and how you move your body on a daily basis and how everything is tied together to promote healing. She makes you feel comfortable at each visit. Love her!
"Uplift PT has been a wonderful resource and support during my pregnancy. Dr. Lauren is so knowledgeable and can explain everything in a way that is so easy to understand. She helps me problem solve ways to continue exercising in the way I love while managing how my body changes in pregnancy. I would highly recommend checking them out!"
"Uplift PT has been an absolute game changer for me during this pregnancy. It’s my first so I didn’t know what to expect and when I started to experience hip pain Dr. Lauren was able to get me pain free and back to doing some of the things that I love. She does a great job educating patients and is very supportive of our goals. I can’t recommend her enough!"
