
The Spiritual Causes Of Constipation And How To Release Them
by Dr. Kim Lye
Constipation isn’t just a physical issue—it can also be a sign that you're emotionally or spiritually stuck. In this talk, Dr. Kim, a holistic chiropractor and back pain coach, explores the deeper spiritual causes behind constipation. Are you holding onto fear, and past experiences, or trying to control every aspect of your life? These patterns can manifest in your body as gut issues. Learn how to recognize and release emotional blockages, so you can restore flow in both your life and your body.
Transcript
Welcome.
I'm Dr.
Kim,
A holistic chiropractor and online back pain coach.
Today we're diving into a powerful topic,
How our spiritual and emotional state can affect our physical body,
Especially when it comes to constipation.
While we often look at constipation as purely a physical issue,
There are deeper spiritual causes that can play a significant role.
Many of us carry emotional and spiritual burdens that show up in the body and constipation can be a sign that we're holding on to things we need to let go of.
First of all,
What is constipation?
It's defined as a condition in which you have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Ideally,
You should be having a regular and smooth bowel movement without straining every one to two days.
If you are having a bowel movement every two to three days or more,
Or are struggling to have an easy and smooth poop,
This talk may be of value to you.
Constipation,
From a spiritual perspective,
Goes beyond just a physical blockage.
It's symbolic of being emotionally or mentally stuck.
When we experience chronic constipation,
It's often a sign that we're resisting something,
Holding on to emotions,
Past experiences,
Or even outdated beliefs that no longer serve us.
In spiritual terms,
Constipation reflects how we deal with the flow of life.
When we resist change,
Fear letting go,
Or cling to old patterns,
This can manifest as physical stagnation in our digestive system.
One of the most common spiritual causes of constipation is the feeling of being stuck in life.
You might feel trapped in a job,
Relationship,
Or situation that no longer brings you joy,
Yet you're unable to or afraid to move forward.
This emotional stagnation is mirrored in the body by a buildup of waste.
Your body is quite literally holding on to what it should be releasing.
Just as you're holding on to emotions or circumstances you need to let go of.
This was me.
For my entire life,
I struggled with gut problems.
Bloating,
Constipation,
Stinging stomach aches that left me doubled over in pain,
And more.
I tried all the physical things.
Litres of water,
Fibre,
Enemas,
Going gluten-free,
Dairy-free,
Eating vegan,
Trying a carnivore diet,
The bulletproof diet,
Prebiotics,
Probiotics,
Gua gum powder,
Literally everything under the sun.
I even saw a naturopath for well over a year and spent thousands of dollars on expensive supplements.
And it all had little to no results.
Every time I tried something new,
My constipation would get marginally better and I would get my hopes up.
Then it would revert back.
I was having a bowel movement every three days and this went on for years.
When I look back at this period of my life,
I can so easily see that I felt stuck.
I had always wanted to travel the world as a digital nomad,
But my job as a chiropractor kept me location-bound.
I liked my job,
But it simply wasn't where I was supposed to be.
I wasn't supposed to be a chiropractor living in Perth,
Australia.
The universe had bigger plans for me,
But I was ignoring it.
I always felt that little voice inside me,
Urging me to leave.
And after many years,
That voice turned into a scream.
I literally couldn't ignore it anymore.
I worked up the courage to quit my job,
Sell all of my belongings and I left Australia.
Landing in Thailand as my first stop,
I have never felt more free.
I remember crying with happiness when I landed.
Finally,
I could go wherever I wanted,
Whenever I wanted,
Held down by no job and no obligations.
Two months into my digital nomad journey,
My bowels started working.
I didn't do anything to change my diet.
In fact,
I ate out every single meal.
It's been three years of daily bowel movements.
The only time I get constipated is when I get super stressed.
For me,
My constipation came from a purely emotional and spiritual place.
I felt stuck,
So my gut became stuck.
When we don't feel free to move forwards in life,
It's often due to fear.
Fear of the unknown,
Fear of failure,
Or even fear of success.
This can create emotional tension which gets stored in the body,
Particularly in the gut.
Your gut then reflects that resistance,
Manifesting as constipation.
Here are some more reasons you may be constipated.
Holding on to the past.
Whether it's unresolved grief,
Unprocessed trauma,
Or a lingering attachment to how things used to be,
Your body can mirror this reluctance to let go.
Constipation can be a physical representation of the emotional baggage you're unwilling to release.
In life,
We sometimes cling to outdated beliefs,
Grudges,
Or old stories about who we are.
This holding on to what's familiar,
Even if it's harmful,
Can create spiritual and emotional blockages that reflect as physical constipation.
The body responds by becoming slow and heavy,
Just as our spirit feels when we're burdened by unresolved issues.
Fear of letting go and control.
Spiritually,
Constipation can also be about control.
It's a sign that we're trying to control life too tightly,
Resisting the natural flow of experiences,
Emotions,
And changes.
When we try to manage every aspect of life,
It creates tension.
Constipation can be the body's way of signaling that it's time to surrender,
To trust,
And to allow things to flow without micromanaging every detail.
Think about moments in your life when you've tried to hold onto control,
Over outcomes,
People,
Or situations.
This desire for control stems from a fear of uncertainty.
The body,
In response,
Can reflect this tight grip by literally gripping onto waste,
Symbolizing our reluctance to let life unfold naturally.
So how can we begin to heal constipation from a spiritual perspective?
Here are a few steps you can take to address the emotional and spiritual causes of constipation.
1.
Acknowledge where you feel stuck.
Reflect on areas of your life where you feel stuck or stagnant.
Is there a job,
Relationship,
Or belief you're holding onto that no longer serves you?
Simply acknowledging where you feel blocked can help shift the energy.
This is a great first step.
2.
Practice letting go.
This doesn't always mean drastic changes like moving to Thailand to become a digital nomad.
It can start with releasing old thoughts,
Fears,
Or expectations.
Try meditative practices that focus on surrender and flow.
Visualize letting go what's weighing you down,
Allowing your energy to move freely again.
3.
Release control.
Practice surrendering.
This could be as simple as trusting the process of life,
Knowing that you don't have to micromanage every detail.
Use affirmations like,
I release the need to control everything,
Or I trust the flow of life.
4.
Emotional expression.
Unexpressed emotions often lead to physical and spiritual blockages.
Practice expressing your feelings through journaling or somatic movements.
The more you allow emotions to flow,
The more likely your body will follow suit.
I have several meditations on Insight Timer that help to remove blockages in your gut.
Please check out my tracks titled Release and Flow and Meditation for Digestion.
In conclusion,
Constipation can be a powerful signal from your body that there are deeper spiritual and emotional layers that need attention.
Yes,
Physical factors play a role in constipation,
And you do need to address them.
This talk is here to open your mind to the spiritual causes of constipation.
When we feel stuck,
Hold onto the past,
Or resist change,
Our body mirrors that with stagnation in the gut.
By acknowledging these emotional and spiritual blockages and working to release them,
We can create space for healing and flow.
Not just in the gut,
But in our entire life.
Remember,
True healing involves not just treating the body,
But also nurturing your emotional and spiritual well-being.
If you're experiencing constipation alongside back pain,
I'm here to help.
Through holistic coaching,
I offer support to release what's holding you back so you can live in greater alignment with your true self.
I have a course on Insight Timer called Heal Lower Back Pain,
A Holistic Approach.
Go check it out,
And let's work together to find your flow.
I hope you enjoyed this talk.
Please consider it giving a 5-star rating if you gained any value from it.
Happy healing,
And we'll talk tomorrow.
5.0 (53)
Recent Reviews
Peggy
November 11, 2025
Good reminder that everything starts with thought and thoughts can be changed (as Louise Hay says) You're a wise woman. TY for being here and sharing
Deirdre
August 28, 2025
Very helpful and instructive. I will come back to this and share. Thank you for the honest and inspiring offering.
Daphne
August 20, 2025
This is so helpful as I have a recent huge constipation issue tied to a very emotional time. I look forward to your meditation on IT
