Constipation can affect people at any age. Common symptoms include: finding it difficult to open your bowels, passing stools that are unusually hard or dry (large or small) and opening your bowels fewer than 3 times in a week.
Constipation may not have an obvious cause, but in adults some of the common reasons for experiencing symptoms are: not drinking enough fluids, not eating enough fibre, being less active, side effects of medication, stress, anxiety or depression.
Support is available on the NHS website and the charity Guts UK have a very helpful factsheet: https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/symptoms/constipation/
Reflexology Research
The article referenced and linked below features a study into the effect of reflexology on the constipation status of elderly people.
Please follow the link to find out more:
Effect of Reflexology on the Constipation Status of Elderly People
Inkaya Bahar; Tuzer Hilal
Yonago Acta Med 2020 2 63 115-121
References for this blog:
Guts UK (2023) Constipation. Available at: https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/symptoms/constipation/ (Accessed: 31 January 2025)
NHS UK (2023) Constipation. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/ (Accessed: 31 January 2025)