Honey:

My old boss had a daughter that had chronic bowel issues. He highly recommended this book (available at Amazon).

it essentially addresses the bowel as being a "second brain". It makes its own decisions based upon sensory stimulation.

Interesting idear.

As for loosening stool, I strongly recomment Metimucil, or some equivelent thereof. It will make you regular, and will keep things moving. Not good for a current blockage, but once that is resolved, it helps things immensely.