QSCIS

Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service

Bowels

Bowel

Spinal cord injury can significantly affect bowel function. Health professionals have a key role in supporting individua...

Bowel resources

Equipment and assistive technology

Adaptive devices People with spinal cord injury (SCI) who have functional impairment of the upper limbs may find it diff...

Troubleshooting guides

Other triggers

While enemas, suppositories and digital techniques are highly effective, there are various ways to help trigger defecati...

Digital removal of faeces (DRF)

Digital removal of faeces (DRF) refers to the use of a gloved lubricated finger, gently inserted into the rectum to remo...

Digital stimulation

Digital stimulation works by triggering reflexive activity in the upper motor neurone (UMN) bowel to initiate contractil...

Enemas or suppositories

Enemas and/or suppositories can help people who have an upper motor neurone (UMN) ‘reflexic’ type-bowel and are unable t...

Right trigger

When the Right place and Right time are aligned, a ‘trigger’ can help to empty the rectum effectively. Ther...

Right amount

The amount of faeces being passed will differ from person to person, but should be directly relative to the amount of fo...