Functional colopathy and osteopathy

Functional colopathy is also known as Functional Intestinal Disorder (FID), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It's a very common gastrointestinal disorder, affecting millions of people worldwide. In France, over 9 million people are thought to be affected, with women predominating. Typical symptoms of functional colopathy include abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas and transit disorders. These symptoms are uncomfortable and can lead to a deterioration in quality of life.

Functional colopathy is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning that there are no organic lesions or obvious signs of disease in the intestine. This explains why diagnosis is based on symptoms alone - there are no tests to validate this hypothesis. Doctors normally carry out a full medical examination to rule out all other hypotheses.

The exact causes and contributing factors of this syndrome are not fully understood, and vary from patient to patient. They may include factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, diet (as certain foods or drinks can exacerbate symptoms), sport, hormones, ...

Symptoms also vary from person to person, but generally include a combination of :

• Abdominal pain or discomfort, which may be relieved after a bowel movement
• Abnormal stools, sometimes in the form of hard or soft stools
• Diarrhea, constipation or alternating between the two
• Excessive bloating and gas

The most recommended treatments for functional colopathy include dietary modifications (identifying and then limiting triggers), medication to relieve symptoms (such as laxatives, antispasmodics, ...), sleep management, regular activity and stress management.

Although functional colopathy can be very uncomfortable, it generally does not cause serious physical damage to the intestine, nor does it increase the risk of developing serious diseases. Managing symptoms and finding strategies for relief are the main aims of treatment. Most people with functional colopathy can lead a normal life by adapting their lifestyle and diet.

Osteopathy focuses on the interaction between different body systems including the musculoskeletal, nervous and digestive systems that are involved in functional colopathy. Osteopaths are trained to assess and treat the body as a whole, seeking to identify and resolve imbalances that may be contributing to the symptoms of various conditions such as functional colopathy.

In the context of functional colopathy, osteopathy can offer several advantages:

• Relaxation of the nervous system using gentle manual techniques to release muscular tension and encourage relaxation of the nervous system. This can help reduce intestinal sensitivity and alleviate symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating.
• The improvement of intestinal mobility through osteopathic manipulations that can promote intestinal mobility by eliminating restrictions that may hinder the optimal functioning of the visceral system.
• Stress management, as the osteopath will help reduce the patient's stress and body tension, which can contribute to an overall improvement in the symptoms of functional colopathy.
• Promoting a healthy lifestyle, osteopaths have a role to play in providing advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes that can support and improve digestive health.
• Interprofessional collaboration, because the osteopath will link the patient with other qualified professionals and support the patient in his or her follow-up.  

It is important to note that osteopathy does not replace conventional medical approaches to functional colopathy. Patients with this syndrome need to be managed in a multidisciplinary way to establish a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.

In conclusion, osteopathy offers a holistic approach to the management of functional colopathy. By working on the nervous system, bowel mobility and stress management, osteopaths can help relieve the symptoms of this troublesome condition. However, it is essential to consult a qualified osteopath in collaboration with other health professionals to achieve the best results as part of an overall treatment plan.