Infant constipation can come in many forms. Generally, when the intestinal area is loosened, the infant is good to go. Occasionally, there may be additional factors present.
A newborn worked through many full-body strains during her visits. During the fourth visit, colic presented clinically with deep pelvic strain, causing constipation and pain. On the last visit, mom said she was much better but not quite there.
When she had to poop, she would wiggle, squirm, and make faces. She had to push hard to get the poop out, and sometimes mom had to help her.
When that scenario presents, I am thinking of the anal sphincters, which need to open and close correctly. The anus has two sets of circular muscles: the internal sphincter, controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and external sphincter, controlled voluntarily by the somatic nervous system.
Since we know that the fascial web connects every muscle cell of the body, there can be fascial restriction anywhere, including these two sphincters.
When mom asked the pediatrician about her problem, the doctor said it was not constipation. The typical medical solution would be occasional use of infant suppositories. The allopathic model manages problems with medication without looking for their root cause.
When mom held the opening of the anus with a gloved finger and I held the thighs, the infant had a deep pelvic strain that was pulling into her anal area. I expect when this area is fully released, normal evacuation of the stools will occur.
Pediatricians need to expand their thinking to offer a more complete service for their patients. If one pictures the body as one fascial web with the all of the structures within its matrix, many “incurable” pediatric conditions can be scientifically explained and corrected.
Gillespie Approach Training is so needed for all birth providers. Let’s stop the suffering and create a world of happy babies.
Mom Speaks
“It’s frustrating to have a pediatrician tell you that there really isn’t anything wrong with your child when you clearly see them struggling in pain and discomfort. But it’s so relieving to have the Gillespie Approach to lean on because I know my daughter will find relief when the root cause is properly treated. I just wish more parents knew about therapy so their kids didn’t have to struggle through it.”
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