As the main health and wellness advisor at FindItHealth.com, I’m here to talk about the advantages of acupuncture for constipation.
Acupuncture can improve your health and wellness and be a long-term cure for constipation according to our research. If you want to avoid the side effects of over-the-counter drugs, acupuncture can be a beneficial adjunct therapy. Learn everything about the numerous advantages of acupuncture for constipation with the help of this article.
Acupuncture for Constipation Protocol
As part of a constipation protocol, the acupuncturist will assess your overall health. Each treatment is individualized to facilitate the most efficacy.
Your doctor will inquire about your current symptoms, previous diagnoses, patient and family medical histories, dietary habits, sleep schedules, and emotional well-being. Also, they will check your pulse on both wrists to see how energies are moving throughout your body.
In order to further assist in developing a treatment plan that will help harmonize your energy, the practitioner will also be observing your emotions, voice, and self-presentation during this thorough evaluation.
In addition, they might advise the following before your initial acupuncture appointment.
Prior to Your First Session, Get Enough Sleep
Avoid strenuous activity and schedule leisure time before and during the day of your acupuncture treatment.
Make Sure the Food You Eat on the Day of Treatment Is Fully Digested
Have a small meal, keeping portions nutritious and moderate. It is not recommended to arrive at your first session hungry. Eat light and stay away from fatty, heavy foods.
Take in a Lot of Water
Make sure to drink enough water to flush out toxins in order to get the most out of your acupuncture treatment.
Dress Comfortably for Your Session
In order to make it easy to apply the needles to the treatment locations, it is advised that you wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Prior to your consultation, refrain from consuming alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages. The stimulant in coffee can cause restlessness. Moreover, these medications may reduce the positive outcomes of acupuncture therapy. Just abstain from coffee for a time if you usually consume it to improve your system.
Relax and Give Yourself Enough Time
Plan your day carefully for your first acupuncture appointment. Avoid raising your heart rate by not rushing to your first session. You are better able to focus on your treatment when your body and mind are relaxed.
Be Honest About Your Full Medical History
Every acupuncture session will begin with an assessment to help your practitioner decide the best course of action for your particular ailment. Inform your acupuncturist of your health objectives and the precise locations of your pain areas. Acupuncturists use a holistic approach and are interested in learning about your entire health and lifestyle.
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Acupuncture Points for Constipation
The acupuncture points listed below are frequently used to treat constipation. These locations treat constipation-related symptoms such as gas, bloating, and stomach pain.
CV6
The Sea of Qi, also known as conception vessel number six, is situated beneath the navel. This point aids in reducing gas, colitis, constipation, and abdominal pain. Also, it helps with hernia treatment, irregular menstruation, male impotence, digestive issues, and fatigue.
CV12
Another important acupoint that might provide relief for many types of digestive problems is the conception vessel 12. The midline of the body, midway between the base of the breastbone and the belly button, is where the Center of Power, as it is sometimes known, can be located.
ST36
This acupoint, also known as stomach 36 or Three Mile Point, eases stomach and intestinal conditions, enhances digestion, and fortifies the overall body. This acupoint is located below the kneecap.
LI4
Otherwise known as Large Intestine 4 or Joining Valley, this acupoint is well-known for treating a number of medical conditions and is particularly important for constipation. This point rests on the fleshy muscle that runs between the index and the thumb.
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Effectiveness
Acupuncture is highly effective in relieving symptoms of constipation. One of the bodily benefits it gives is promoting peristalsis – the movement of intestinal muscles that pushes tools through your digestive system.
The vagus nerves, which are important for a healthy digestive system, can also be activated by acupuncture. Your brain and digestive system communicate with each other via the vagus nerve.Also, if your constipation symptoms are brought on by stressors, stimulating this acupoint might increase endorphins that relax muscles and lower stress.
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What Is a Chinese Medicine for Constipation?
There are plenty of Chinese medicines for constipation but one that stands out is the hemp seed pill or MaZiRenWan.
Six herbal ingredients make up this ancient Chinese medicine, which has been used for constipation for more than two thousand years.
In an NIH study, hemp seed pill demonstrated comparable efficacy with Senna for functional constipation during an eight-week treatment. Hemp seed exhibited a more sustained effect during the treatment itself and the follow-up period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Chinese remedy for constipation?
When it comes to constipation, Asian treatments have a distinctive perspective. The following list of constipation symptoms and treatments is based on traditional Chinese medicine.
Heat type constipation
For constipation ensuing from excessive heat in the body take in herbs that drain heat from the body such as Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Aloe Vera. Include foods like bananas and prunes in your diet as well.
Cold type
Cold-type constipation causes the large intestines to lose energy. For correcting this, Dang Gui is one of the best remedies that disperses cold and tones the blood. Also, it moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels. But in contrast to heat-type constipation, avoid foods like prunes and bananas because they could worsen your condition.
Qi type
In this instance, rebalancing your digestive system and Qi energy is the main objective. Qi flow is enhanced by peppermint tea and astragalus roots. Moreover, it loosens the bowels so that you can poop with less effort.
Deficiency type
Deficiency-related constipation is common in older people and women who have recently given birth. This type of constipation is improved by cannabis seeds in the form of hemp seed oil, which lubricates the intestines to facilitate bowel movements.
What is the acupuncture point for constipation?
The most efficacious acupoints for constipation are the front mu (ST25) and back shu (BL25) located on the large intestine meridian. These large intestines and channels are often an integral aspect of constipation treatment.
In a study, activating these two points had an efficacy of 82.56% as opposed to the sham control group’s efficacy of 67.65%. The true acupuncture group significantly outperforms the sham control group in terms of improved frequency of bowel movements.
How many acupuncture sessions are needed for constipation?
According to studies, the recommended amount of acupuncture sessions is as follows.
- In a trial of individuals with constipation following severe traumatic brain injury, acupuncture was administered twice weekly for a total of 10 weeks.
- The effects of electro-acupuncture treatments after 28 sessions over eight weeks were positive in another study that was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
- Participants got a daily 30-minute session of acupuncture and herbal medicine in another study. There were a total of 20 acupuncture treatments over the course of the 4 treatment cycles.
Your acupuncturist’s diagnosis will typically determine the number of sessions needed to treat your constipation.
How long does it take for acupuncture to work for constipation?
After the first session, you would start to experience the positive effects of acupuncture, such as increased vitality and blood circulation. Your particular health condition will determine when the effects of acupuncture start to manifest. But the results last a long time. In a study published in the Annals of Palliative Medicine, the efficacy of acupuncture for improving bowel movement remains after a 12-week follow-up.
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Conclusion – Research by Findithealth.com
You might be thinking if receiving acupuncture for constipation is worth the trouble.
Because it causes changes in the nervous system, acupuncture may be a better kind of treatment. Constipation is mostly caused by a decrease in intestinal motility when long-term stress affects how the nervous system functions.
The sympathetic nervous system coordinates stress responses and delivers blood to the skeletal muscles in preparation for a fight-or-flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is in charge of the rest and digest processes that deliver blood flow to the organs and related muscles.
As the sympathetic nervous system is overstimulated, less energy is available for organs to function, including the colon. These functions are under the direction of various brain regions.
The way the nervous system fires can be changed, according to research, by stimulating specific acupoints. It changes the type of neurochemicals the brain releases. The brain area that is most related to colonic motility is Barrington’s nucleus. During chronic stress, the Barrington’s nucleus becomes less active thus preventing the parasympathetic nervous system from stimulating the colon.But acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system up to Barrington’s nucleus resulting in enhanced bowel movement and calming stress. These effects are sustained and become normalized after a course of acupuncture treatments.
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