Abstract

Background: chronic constipation affects 16,6 % of the population, mostly women, and its prevalence increases with age. Slowing of intestinal transit as a result of decline in physical activity or consumption of some drugs as well as pelvic floor dyssynergia can be causes of constipation. The common treatment consists of diet recommendations and laxatives regardless of cause, which has high healthcare costs and possible long-term side effects. Physiotherapy offers alternative treatments such as abdominal massage, biofeedback and exercise. Aim: to review the available evidence on the effectiveness of different physiotherapy treatments for constipation. Material and method: a systematic review was carried out. A research in Pubmed, PEDRO, Sciencedirect and ENFISPO data bases was done using different combinations of the following terms: "Digestive System Diseases", "Digestive System Processes", "Gastrointestinal Tract", "Constipation", "Physical Therapy", "Massage "and" Exercise".13 studies that fulfilled the following inclusion criteria were included: to evaluate the efficacy of a hysiotherapy method in constipation, to have a sample without neurological disease, to have been published between 2002 and october 2014, be available in english, spanish or german and to be available in the network of Universidad de Zaragoza. Outcomes/discussion: physical therapy is effective in the treatment of constipation. Abdominal massage shows an increase in bowel movements. Also, biofeedback therapy improved symptomatology especially in patients suffering from pelvic floor muscles dyssynergia. Spinal manipulation and spinal magnetic stimulation also obtained positive results. Physical exercise by itself did not decrease the consumption of laxatives not even the number of patients with constipation. Conclusion: physical therapy interventions based on abdominal massage, biofeedback, physical exercise and spinal stimulation provide positive effects on constipation symptoms.