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Poo Guide: What’s Normal and When to Worry

A cheeky chat about your number twos

Following on from last month’s guide to healthy pee, we’re switching focus to your number twos! Yes, we’re going there – because your poo says a lot about your health, and it’s time we all got a bit more comfortable talking about it. 

The Bristol Stool Chart: your bathroom bestie

This chart ranks stool from Type 1 (hard lumps) to Type 7 (completely liquid). Ideally, your poo should be Type 3 or 4 – smooth, sausage-shaped, and easy to pass. If your stool regularly falls outside this range, it might be time to investigate.

What your poo might be telling you

Constipation (Types 1–2) may signal low fibre, dehydration, or gut sluggishness. Diarrhoea (Types 6–7) could suggest irritation, infection, or food intolerance. You might also notice changes in colour, smell, or frequency – all of which can provide valuable clues about how your gut is functioning.

When should you see a professional?

If you regularly strain, go fewer than three times a week, or experience urgency, bloating, or abdominal pain, speak to a health professional. Blood in the stool, sudden weight loss, or long-term changes in bowel habits are especially important to get checked.

How osteopathy may help

Osteopaths use gentle manual techniques to support digestion and ease abdominal tension. By improving circulation and reducing stress, they may help optimise bowel function and relieve discomfort associated with IBS or constipation.

Of course, if you need assistance outside of our scope, we will always point you in the direction of a health practitioner that would best suit your needs.

Call Body@Boronia on (03) 9762 9445 to book an appointment or ask questions – because some things really are better out than in.

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Information provided here (including text, graphics, images, outbound links, and other material) is for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and is not to be used or considered as a substitute for personalised professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified allied health provider regarding any symptoms, medical conditions, or treatments and before undertaking any new health care regimen.

References

When needed, we research our content using a range of sources across both web and books. Regular references we use include: