Chronic constipation is a condition that is hard to pin down because there is no absolute number that represents how many days should pass in between movements. Normal bowel movements may occur a couple of times a day for some of us while it may two to three days for others. We should all know when a bowel movement is late but this in and of itself is no cause for alarm. However, when chronic constipation strikes, we may find ourselves with severe abdominal and/or lower back pain for days on end and the potential for serious health problems.