Many people suffer from constipation in North American, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and stresses are prevalent. constipation is a condition that may be distinguished by a number of symptoms, including stomach pains, irregular bowel movements, and unusually hard or soft stools. Constipation is caused by a fiber deprived diet, hormonal changes, side effects from pain medications, illnesses, and, in some cases, misshapen intestines. Regular bowel movements are essential for a long, healthy, and productive life. An estimated more than 42 million North Americans commonly suffer from the condition, making constipation one of the most gastrointestinal issues. Occasional bouts of these symptoms are typically nothing to worry about. However, chronic constipation may lead to more serious complications such as colonic conditions and urological disorders, while having an overall negative impact on quality of life.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the bowels are recognized as being connected to the liver and spleen digestive systems. Besides improper diet, many cases of constipation are due to prolonged stress and emotional imbalance, causing the liver energy to stagnate and preventing natural peristaltic bowel movements. Other cases of constipation involve prolonged blood and fluid deficiency, drying up the stools and making them difficulty to pass.
At the core of constipation is an imbalance in the body that causes these uncomfortable symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes three main roots of constipation: an excess of cold in the body, an excess of warmth, and the disruption of qi, the vital force that keeps our energy flowing smoothly. While many may reach for over-the-counter laxatives to provide quick relief, practitioners of TCM understand that each of type of constipation needs to be treated differently. What’s more, prolonged use of these laxatives may form a dependency that can cause changes in the colon, possibly even leading to cancer.
The proper treatment of constipation depends on its cause. Those suffering from an excess of cold may find herbal remedies to be especially effective. These may include but are not limited to rhubarb, aloe, and bitter orange. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that an ancient six-herb formula was 82 percent more effective in increasing the number of bowel movements, while significantly lowering the number of laxative tablets needed.
NAITCM have seen many patients suffering with constipation, and we often work with the consultation in a gastroenterology. Usually constipation is one of many symptoms of a medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallstones, colitis, Crohn’s disease, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, or endometriosis etc.
Our treatment for constipation focuses on discovering the primary condition and then freeing the liver energy, stimulating the natural movements of the bowels. We also address the underlying cause, be it emotional, dietary, or deficiencies of blood and fluids. We find the best success comes when the patient participates by changing his or her lifestyle.
- Herbal Treatment
- Acupuncture
- Abdominal Massage
- Diet
- Home Remedies
- Daily Supplements
- Advice on what to avoid
In most causes of constipation, acupuncture may help alleviate the condition by opening the channels through which our qi flows. A variety of acupuncture points can be employed, depending on the needs of the patient. The most commonly used are known as tianshu (towards the middle of the stomach), da chang shu (lower back), daheng (mid outer stomach), and neiting (base of the second toe). These have been shown to help move qi into the lower abdomen, cool the intestines, and soften the stool. A 2010 study found that stimulating a combination of acupoints had a 68 percent effectiveness rate on symptoms of constipation, with tianshu perhaps being particularly useful.
If you experience sudden constipation lasting more than a week, you should take a consultation, as this may be a sign of a more serious condition requiring immediate attention.
As with all medical treatments, it’s important to meet with a qualified practitioner to determine the cause of your symptoms and help design a plan specifically for your needs. If you suffer from chronic constipation, herbal treatments and acupuncture or other forms of TCM may be just what you need to find relief from the condition for good. Schedule an appointment today.
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