It is not often that people come to the clinic with the main problem of constipation. This is probably because it is not widely known that acupuncture can help. At the initial consultation it is common practice to ask about bowel habits as this forms an important part of diagnosis.

There are varying views about what defines constipation. It is not infrequent to hear doctors saying, quite wrongly, that it does not matter if one has a bowel movement only twice a week. On the other hand, some naturopaths believe that it is normal and desirable to have up to four bowel movements a day.

I would suggest one bowel movement per day to be acceptable, anything less is a form of constipation.

The causes of constipation

Excessive heat in the body is the main cause of constipation. Heat in the Large Intestine dries up the fluids and so dries up the stools so that they cannot move properly. This heat can come from many sources such as diet (to much hot, spicy food), heat generated from emotional stress, or a febrile illness.

Constipation can also be caused by a lack of Qi (energy). Literally, there is not enough energy to move the stool properly. In this case if laxatives are used on a frequent basis then the Large Intestine becomes progressively more weakened and the situation becomes more chronic and more difficult to treat.

Internal Cold can also cause constipation since cold obstructs the movement of energy. Patients may often feel cold, and their limbs may be unusually cold to touch.

An obstruction in the Large Intestine’s energy can result in poor bowel movement. This may be structural, or functional. Acupuncture can help in the latter case.

Acupuncture and appropriate lifestyle and dietary changes will remedy most cases of constipation. Colonoscopies and other internal examinations will rule out any structural cause for constipation.