Constipation- The "BLYTON" maneuver for assisting clearance

Any time you go for surgery you can pretty well count on having constipation because of the pain meds.
There are other occasions that can produce constipation. Even though you may have been taking some sort of stool softener or laxative (like MiraLax) you may get caught off guard. Welcome to constipation 101.

I am assuming that your GI tract is still patent and there is some peristaltic movement still functioning. I am assuuming that the fecal material has made it all the way to the back door but can't seem to get pushed any further. The excretory muscles just can't do the job. This is where the "Blyton" technique comes into play.
1) Sitting on the commode, bend steeply over and exert pressure in an attempt to empty the bowel. Nothing happens of course but HOLD that pressure.
2) Now sit straight upright and continuing to hold that sphincter pressure slowly bend back down to that original position. You should feel muscle bands mechanically forcing the fecal material out. It's somewhat analogous to pumping well water using the leverage of the long handle (your upper body).
3) You may need to repeat this several times....as long as you feel it's moving.

If you have really acute constipation to where there is impaction at the end of the colon (like I had just one time). The pain is such you will try anything. But here you are dealing with dry fecal balls packed tightly in the colon and this technique should then be used with the ol' rubber glove approach. I know it's gross but you can pick the mass apart until it is mobile enough to be forced out.

Let me emphasize the importance of not just returning to a sitting up position but to slightly overarch your back while maintaining pressure with you buttocks.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: I am not a proctologist and I have no idea how I figured this technique out. I cannot tell you if you might have some predisposing condition that could be harmed by extreme pressure.
Major polyps might be a problem...I don't know.

This worked great for me and my friends with no problems. If you think it can help you then use at your own risk.

UPDATE (3/11/2010)
I just talked with a specialist that does endoscopy and surgery.
He said he didn't see any problems with polyps in general but did point out that he finds occasional differences in women's
GI tracts that can make constipation more difficult to deal with.

I think he was saying that in some cases with some women it may not work.

Remember: This is a maneuver. Maneuver's take practice to make perfect. I say try it six times and if you can't master it by then ...well...just quit (I joke) but you know what i mean. Wish you the best.

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Education

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• Constipation
• Blyton maneuver
• Blyton Technique
• total knee replacement tips
• pain medication
• surgery and constipation

[32f3245f4]

Thanks. You are exactly correct. I got the idea from observing how primates behave in nature. I guess the thoracic (?) diaphragm helps to exert pressure to aid in the peristalsis movement...or whatever. But it does work. Thanks for the comment on a topic not many people want to talk about, smile.

[ChuckCh9]

Very informative channel. Thank you.

I have friends who are from places where there are no toilets so they squat low to the ground for all bm's. I've found that when I tried this during constipation, it passed much easier than the standard toilet position.

Thanks again

[hankstom123]

thnx for the tip.

have to try it !