By Riva Preil
Anyone who has ever experienced constipation knows how uncomfortable this condition can be. It is important to eat adequate fiber (please refer to previous blogs for details), drinking eight cups of water each day, and participate in exercise regularly.
It is also important to consider the anatomy involved with normal defecation. The large intestine, also referred to as the colon, is one of the final legs of gastrointestinal trip. Think of the colon as an upside down “U†consisting of three parts: the ascending colon, the transverse colon, and the descending colon (refer to picture). Normally, the stool passes from the small intestine to the large intestine, where it travels through all three portions of the colon, from ascending to transverse to descending colon. Once the stool completes its passage through the descending colon, it stores in the rectum until the rectum “feels fullâ€, at which point in time the individual can pass a bowel movement through the anus. The colon is a one-way street, so to speak, and the stool (especially if hard and firmly formed) may require assistance being transported through the three portions of the colon. The “ILU (or I Love You) Massage,†is a self-help technique that many find beneficial in treating constipation. Why is it called the I Love You massage? How do I perform this technique? Stay tuned to the next blog for the answers to these questions…