Constipation in children

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Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

In addition to changes in diet and routine, various alternative approaches may help relieve constipation in children:

  • Relaxation strategies. Slow, deep breaths may help your child release his or her pelvic floor muscles and overcome anxiety related to bowel movements.
  • Mental imagery. Thinking about a favorite place or imagining an easy, comfortable bowel movement may reduce anxiety about having a bowel movement.
  • Massage. Gently massaging your child's abdomen may relax the muscles that support the bladder and intestines, helping to promote bowel activity.
  • Acupuncture. This traditional Chinese medicine involves the insertion and manipulation of fine needles into various parts of the body. The therapy may help promote more frequent bowel movements.
Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
    Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
  • Constipation
References
  1. Ferry GD. Constipation in children: Etiology and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
  2. Ferry GD. Prevention and treatment of acute constipation in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
  3. Ferry GD. Treatment of chronic functional constipation and fecal incontinence in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
  4. Evaluation and treatment of constipation in infants and children: Recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2006;43:e1.
  5. Constipation in children. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipationchild/index.htm. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
  6. Parenting corner Q&A: Constipation. The American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Constipation.htm. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
  7. Parenting corner Q&A: Soiling (encopresis). http://www.aap.org/publiced/BK5_Soiling.htm. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
  8. Wald A. Constipation and defecation problems. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/pdf/constipation.pdf. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009.
  9. Kay M, et al. Common gastrointestinal problems in pediatric patients. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/pdf/pediatric.pdf. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009.
  10. Culbert TP, et al. Integrative approaches to childhood constipation and encopresis. The Pediatrics Clinics of North America. 2007;54:927.
  11. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 10, 2009.
  12. Grothe RM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 18, 2009.

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May 2, 2009

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