Constipation is one of the most common conditions that affect the digestive system. The person may find it hard to empty the bowels or hardened feces. Junk food, lack of fiber or diet, excess use of dairy products or laxatives, and changes in dietary or physical lifestyle are generally known to cause constipation. Besides, other health conditions like digestive disorders, endocrine disorders, diabetes, bowel cancer, kidney disease, and obesity are also some other causes of constipation. In general, natural remedies with healthy lifestyle choices can treat constipation and also its associated symptoms. Of many such remedies, acupuncture for constipation is regarded the best as it exhibits great benefits with minimal to no side effects at all.
Can acupuncture help constipation?
Acupuncture is known to promote the stimulation of energy through the blockages in the large intestine and provide natural hydration to the bowels that support easy excretion. According to some studies and reviews, acupuncture therapy for constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders is highly effective in both treating and preventing constipation. A recent study that included more than 1000 people in China formulated an emphasis on the usage of electroacupuncture as a treatment option. Besides, acupuncture for relieving constipation has the least number of side effects and is considered a suitable replacement option over conventional medicines.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies for Constipation]
Acupuncture Points for Constipation Treatment
Studies have proved that various locations in our body help in creating a proper channel across the organization to treat constipation successfully. Below are some of the acupoints and their frequencies for the treatment of irregular bowel movements.
Frequencies of the Acupoints
ST25 12
ST37 4
SP14 2
BL26 1
A skillful practitioner will use all these acupuncture (2) points for constipation. Improper practicing over these visceral points can cause damage to other organs.
Six Acupuncture Points Can Treat Chronic Constipation Effectively
CV6
CV6, also known as Conception Vessel 6, is present exactly three-finger length below the belly button. One has to stimulate this point by smoothly rubbing the fingertip over it. The depth of the pressure applied should not be more than 1 inch. With the help of this, the pain caused by constipation in the abdominal area reduces significantly. It also helps to relax the fatigued anal muscles and is also beneficial for proper menstruation, hernia, and, most importantly, it is helpful for impotent men.
CV12
CV12, aka Conception Vessel 12, is the most productive point to cure all kinds of digestive problems. Also known as the Centre of Power, it is present in the middle path between the end of the sternum and belly button. This point is tender and should be pressed for longer than 2 minutes when stretched. Remove the thought of using this point, if you are a patient of hypertension, heart disease, and cancer. It also aids purging, dysentery, and jaundice.
ST36
Also known as the Three Mile Point, it is located four fingers below the kneecap. Stimulating this point will never cause you a problem of indigestion. Just one or two minutes of gentle rub at this point will soothe the digestive troubles, irregular bowel movements, and pain. It also helps in treating nervousness, insomnia, depression, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), and even asthma.
[Also Read: Probiotics to Treat Constipation]
LI4
Large Intestine 4 or the Joining Valley Point is present at the fleshy part between the index finger and the thumb. The point alleviates constipation by stimulating contractions. But this point is not allowed to be used in the cases of pregnancy.
LI11
The point is also known as the Crooked pond and is present at the outer, above the end of the elbow. LI11 plays a vital role in treating constipation and indigestion by triggering the colon for smooth bowel movements.
PC6
Pericardium 6 is present at the center part of the place, four fingers below the wrist. When pressed, it feels like a hollow between the tendons. It helps to get relief from upset stomach, loose bowels, and is also beneficial for motion sickness and nausea.
How Many Acupuncture Sessions are Needed to Treat Constipation?
Five treatment sessions for a week or alternate days in a week can treat constipation effectively and efficiently. Acupuncture tends to intensify the stimulation of the energy channels across the body, which will adequately enhance your bowel movements.
SEE ALSO: ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Health Benefits of Acupuncture:
Some of the Acupuncture benefits for constipation are as follows
- Acupuncture for constipation helps you deal effectively with your bowel irregularities. It not only affects the body by curing constipation, but it has a significant role in improving the patient’s digestion to a great extent.
- It minimizes the health risks related to constipation.
- It gradually strengthens the immune system.
- The technique also gives relaxation from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. The relaxation decreases sleep disturbances, too, which usually results in mental strain.
[Also Read: Hand Reflexology to Treat Constipation]
What to Expect When You Take Acupuncture for the First Time?
Before the beginning of the treatment, the practitioner will ask you about your lifestyle and habits. The practitioner will diagnose the problems and will then start following the technique. The acupuncturist will choose specific acupoints on your body on the type of treatment and will place the needles on those points.
The needles are ultrathin and painless. You must lie down in the same position in which the acupuncturist will ask you to. The treatment usually lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. After that, the acupuncturist will remove the needles. The number of sessions will depend on the current state of the condition.
Selecting an Acupuncturist and Things to Keep in Mind Before an Acupuncture Treatment
- The practitioner should be smart and wise to avoid mistakes during the therapy and should be a skilled professional in his field.
- Stay updated with the qualifications of your selected practitioner and know about his training period. Acupuncturists from a majority of the states require a certificate from National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). If you have any blood disorder, consult a doctor before proceeding with an acupuncture therapy
[Read: Aloe Vera for Constipation]
Safety Tips
During the process of acupuncture for relieving constipation, sterility of the needles used is way too important. If the needles are not sterilized properly, they could cause infections. You need to be aware of the procedure and certain risks involved in acupuncture for constipation.
- If you suffer from a bleeding disorder or consume blood thinners, there is a high chance of bruising or bleeding after removal of needles People using a pacemaker should maintain precautions before electroacupuncture, as the needles with electric impulses might hinder the pacemaker’s performance.
- Pregnant women should be restricted from undergoing acupuncture for constipation on some of the acupoints, as some of them enhance the chance of early labor.
After all the analysis of the techniques of acupuncture for constipation, it is clear now that acupuncture is competitive to conventional medical methods. Everything about the bowel movement revolves around diet. Hence, the presence of the required amount of fiber content in an everyday meal is necessary to improve abnormal bowel movements. Gradual changes in the diet and a healthy lifestyle with useful acupuncture technique sessions would inevitably result in aiding constipation.
