It’s not uncommon for people to have a bowel movement shortly after receiving a chiropractic adjustment. The loosening up of joints and realignment of the spine that occurs during a chiropractic visit may stimulate nerves that trigger muscle contractions in the colon, leading some people to feel an urge to poop. While not everyone will be affected this way, post-adjustment pooping can be considered normal.
What causes pooping after a chiropractic adjustment?
There are a few reasons why getting adjusted by a chiropractor may lead to pooping:
- Relaxation of the pelvic muscles – The manipulations given by a chiropractor relax the muscles and joints in the pelvis and lower back. This releases built up tension in the area and loosens the pelvic floor muscles, which can initiate a bowel movement.
- Stimulation of the parasympathetic nerves – Chiropractic adjustments are thought to stimulate the vagus nerve and other parasympathetic nerves. These nerves help control gut motility and digestion, which can trigger poop urges.
- Realignment of the sacrum – The sacrum is the triangular bone at the base of the spine. Chiropractors specifically target the sacrum because misalignments here can affect the nerves linked to colon function. Adjusting the sacrum may realign nerve communication to the bowel.
- Increased circulation – Spinal manipulation improves blood flow throughout the body. Better circulation in the colon provides more oxygen and nutrients to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which may stimulate it to be more active.
Therefore, the physical manipulations involved in a chiropractic treatment session can have direct and indirect effects on the nerves and muscles that control pooping. The relaxation, realignment, and increased blood flow lead some people’s colons to become more active after an adjustment.
How common is pooping after a chiropractic visit?
There are no statistics on exactly what percentage of patients have a bowel movement shortly after seeing a chiropractor. However, chiropractors report that post-adjustment pooping is common enough to be considered a normal occurrence.
Some sources estimate that around 30-40% of people may feel an urge to poop within an hour of a chiropractic treatment. But every person’s response can vary greatly.
Interestingly, those new to chiropractic care seem more likely to be affected this way. The body may react more strongly as it adjusts to the new sensations of being manipulated. People who get regular chiropractic adjustments may become accustomed to the feelings and not need to poop as often.
Does the area being adjusted affect pooping?
The part of the back and spine being targeted during a chiropractic session may play a role in pooping urges. Adjustments to the lower back and pelvis seem especially likely to trigger a bowel movement.
This is because the lower spinal nerves directly control the colon and anus. Manipulating the lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvis helps loosen up the pelvic floor while realigning nerves that coordinate colon function. Resulting relaxation of the rectum and anus can then lead to pooping.
Adjustments performed higher up on the thoracic or cervical areas of the spine typically would not have this effect. The lower back and pelvis are usually the culprit when chiropractic adjustments make people poop.
Do certain chiropractic techniques cause pooping?
Some types of chiropractic adjustments may be more likely to induce pooping than others:
- Instrument-assisted manipulation – Tools like the Activator involve thrusting into the spine to mobilize joints. This can strongly stimulate the lower back nerves.
- Drop-table techniques – With drop table adjustments, the section of spine being targeted is quickly lowered to manipulate the joints. The force and speed may jolt the nerves.
- Thompson technique – Developed by Dr. Clay Thompson, this technique involves rocking the pelvis to release sacroiliac and lower spine dysfunction. The pelvic motions can lead to rectal relaxation.
- Flexion-distraction – A gentle pumping motion is used to take pressure off compressed spinal segments. This relaxes the surrounding muscles, including the pelvic floor.
So adjustments that involve high-velocity thrusts or those that directly target the sacrum and pelvis appear most likely to make patients poop. But even milder mobilizations can sometimes stimulate bowel movements.
Do certain health conditions increase pooping?
People with some health conditions may be more prone to pooping after chiropractic adjustments, including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – IBS can cause the bowel to be extra sensitive to stimulation. The nerves controlling the colon may react strongly to being adjusted.
- Ankylosing spondylitis – Inflammation and fusing of the sacroiliac joints leads to constipation in some cases. Adjusting these joints helps relaxation and pooping.
- Fibromyalgia – Musculoskeletal tension from fibromyalgia often affects the pelvis and lower spine. This can lead to constipation that adjusting may help relieve.
- Spinal stenosis – Narrowing of the spinal canal puts pressure on the nerves. Chiropractic manipulation can open the area relieving impinged nerves that control colon function.
- Weak pelvic floor – Some women experience pelvic floor dysfunction after pregnancy and childbirth. Chiropractic adjustments may help strengthen the area but also relax the pelvic floor suddenly leading to urgency.
For patients with chronic spinal misalignments, gastrointestinal issues, or pelvic floor weakness, the restorative effects of chiropractic adjustments on the lower back may be more likely to stimulate a bowel movement.
Can adjustments make constipation worse?
For some people, chiropractic adjustments may temporarily worsen constipation instead of improving pooping function. Reasons this can occur include:
- Over-relaxation of the pelvic floor – The muscles and tissues in the pelvic floor support healthy elimination. If these become too loose, constipation can result.
- Neurological disruptions – Very forceful adjustments could theoretically overwhelm the nervous system or injure the nerves involved in pooping control.
- Physical injury – If adjustments are done incorrectly, the spine or pelvis could become misaligned in a way that pinches nerves and disrupts bowel function.
- Stress response – The stimulatory effects of adjustments may cause some people’s bowels to seize up instead of relaxing smoothly.
However, these cases tend to be temporary. Constipation after an adjustment will often resolve on its own within a day or two at most. Communicating any issues to your chiropractor can help customize your treatments.
Tips for relieving post-adjustment constipation
To help get your bowel movements back on track if chiropractic adjustments leave you backed up, try these constipation remedies:
- Drink more water – Staying hydrated keeps your colon functioning optimally.
- Eat more fiber – Soluble fiber found in fruits, veggies, beans, oats, etc. absorbs fluid to soften and move along stool.
- Exercise – Physical activity accelerates digestion and stimulates the bowels.
- Take a probiotic – Probiotics boost healthy gut flora, which promotes regularity.
- Use laxatives sparingly – OTC laxatives can help provide temporary relief but should not be used long-term.
- Squat and move around – Gravity and walking help increase colon motility when constipated.
- Massage your abdomen – Lightly massaging the stomach in a clockwise motion can help stimulate bowel function.
- Try abdominal stretches – Gentle twists and pulls open up the abdomen and lower back.
Being patient is also important, as constipation after a chiropractic adjustment should not persist more than a few days. Schedule a follow up appointment if problems linger.
When to see your doctor
In most cases, constipation or diarrhea that occurs after a chiropractic visit will resolve on its own quickly. But see a doctor right away if you experience:
- No bowel movement for 3 or more days
- Hard, painful stools
- Bloody stools
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Inability to pass gas
- Nausea or vomiting
- Persistent diarrhea longer than 48 hours
These can indicate an impaction, bowel obstruction or other medical condition requiring urgent care. Rarely, nerve damage from chiropractic adjustments may require intervention.
Can adjustments cause bowel incontinence?
It’s highly uncommon, but some people report occasional stool incontinence, or leakage, after their chiropractic visits. This can occur if the muscles of the anus and pelvic floor are overly relaxed from the spinal manipulation.
Adjustments that are too forceful or repeated too often may loosen these muscles past the point of control. Pelvic floor dysfunction or preexisting weak sphincter tone also raise the risks of incontinence.
Like post-adjustment constipation, any cases of incontinence after chiropractic manipulation tend to be short-lived. The muscles typically regain continence within a day or two at most.
Doing Kegel exercises to tone the pelvic floor and following up with your chiropractor can help reduce any undesirable effects. Serious bowel incontinence that persists warrants medical assessment.
Tips to prevent bowel issues from chiropractic adjustments
While post-chiropractic pooping is normal, there are some precautions you can take to avoid strongly stimulating bowel movements or to minimize constipation and incontinence issues:
- Go before your appointment – Try emptying your bowel and bladder before your chiropractic visit.
- Communicate sensitivities – Tell your chiropractor if you have a history of bowel problems or sensitive colon.
- Start slowly – Request milder manipulations at first to see how your body responds.
- Avoid total relaxation – Don’t let all your muscles go limp during adjustments which can loosen the pelvic floor.
- Strengthen your core – Exercise your abdominals and practice Kegel contractions to tone the pelvic floor.
- Wait to adjust after diarrhea or constipation episodes – Allow the bowel to stabilize first.
- Stay well hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids daily to keep your colon functioning well.
Being proactive and communicating with your chiropractor allows adjustments to be tailored to your needs and sensitivities. This minimizes the chances of provoking unwanted bowel symptoms.
The bottom line
Feeling an urge to poop or having a bowel movement shortly after a chiropractic visit is not uncommon. The manipulations give during the adjustment session relax the lower back and pelvic region, stimulating nerves that coordinate colon function.
Up to around 30-40% of patients may be affected, especially beginners to chiropractic care. Techniques that involve forceful thrusts to the lower spine often trigger pooping reflexes. And people with IBS, spinal misalignments, or weak pelvic floor are most prone.
Temporary constipation or incontinence can also occur if adjustments over-relax the colon. But these issues tend to resolve quickly on their own. Preventative measures like Kegel exercises and communicating sensitivities can minimize unwanted effects.
Overall, while you may need to make a pitstop after your appointment, pooping after a chiropractic adjustment is a normal response for many patients. It provides a sign your colon and nerves are benefiting from the spinal manipulation.