International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 17-23, March 2010

The effect of Osteopathic Treatment on Chronic Constipation – A Pilot Study☆

  • Rebecca Brugman

      Affiliations

    • Osteopathic Medicine Unit, School of Biomedical & Health Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, PO Box 14428 Melbourne VIC 8001, Australia
    • ,
  • Kylie Fitzgerald

      Affiliations

    • Osteopathic Medicine Unit, School of Biomedical & Health Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, PO Box 14428 Melbourne VIC 8001, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +61 3 9919 1043.
    • ,
  • Gary Fryer

      Affiliations

    • Osteopathic Medicine Unit, School of Biomedical & Health Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, PO Box 14428 Melbourne VIC 8001, Australia
    • A.T. Still Research Institute, ATSU, Kirksville, MO, USA

Received 19 November 2008; received in revised form 7 August 2009; accepted 20 October 2009. published online 16 February 2010.

Abstract 

Background

Conventional medical treatment for constipation typically consists of dietary modification, increased fluid intake and exercise frequency, but many people do not respond to these interventions. Osteopathic treatment is claimed to restore normal function to the digestive system and related somatic structures and may provide an effective treatment for constipation.

Objective

To examine the effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment for people with chronic constipation over a four week period.

Methods

Six participants (mean age 48.5±14.1 years) with chronic constipation were treated utilising a semi-standardised osteopathic treatment. Each participant was examined and treated six times over four weeks. Treatment outcomes were measured pre-treatment, during and one week following the treatment period using validated outcome measures specific to bowel function.

Results

Following treatment there was a significant improvement in the severity of their constipation (p<0.01), overall symptom improvement (p<0.01), improved colonic transit times (p<0.01) and overall quality of life (p<0.01).

Conclusion

Participants reported an improvement in the overall severity of constipation, symptoms and quality of life. Further investigation of osteopathic treatment of constipation is recommended using larger sample sizes and a randomized controlled design.

Keywords: Osteopathic medicine, Constipation, Manipulation, Treatment

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☆ Author contribution statement: KF conceived the idea for the study. RB, GF and KF contributed to the design and planning of the research. All authors were involved in data collection. RB and KF analysed the data. RB, GF and KF wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors edited and approved the final version of the manuscript.

PII: S1746-0689(09)00092-3

doi:10.1016/j.ijosm.2009.10.002

International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 17-23, March 2010

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