Constipation & Acupuncture

Constipation is a common digestive concern that can involve infrequent bowel movements, difficulty passing stools, hard or dry stools, straining, or a feeling of incomplete emptying.

There are many possible contributors to constipation, including diet, inadequate fluid intake, reduced physical activity, stress, medications, changes in gut motility and underlying digestive or medical conditions.

Acupuncture for Constipation

Acupuncture may be used as a complementary therapy to support people experiencing constipation and other associated digestive symptoms.

Treatment is individualised and may focus on bowel regularity, abdominal discomfort, bloating, digestive function and nervous system regulation, depending on the person’s presentation.

Where appropriate, acupuncture may also be combined with Chinese herbal medicine, dietary advice and lifestyle changes as part of a broader approach to digestive health.

Constipation Through a Chinese Medicine Lens

Chinese medicine recognises that constipation can occur for different underlying reasons, such as dryness in the large intestine, yang deficiency and other patterns.

Treatment considers factors such as stool consistency, frequency of bowel movements, bloating, abdominal discomfort, appetite, digestion, stress, energy levels and other accompanying symptoms.

Two people experiencing constipation may therefore receive very different treatments. The aim is to address the immediate bowel symptoms while also identifying and treating the underlying Chinese medicine pattern contributing to them.

Persistent or unexplained constipation should be appropriately medically investigated, particularly when it is new, worsening or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

If you are experiencing constipation or changes in your digestive health and would like to explore whether acupuncture or Chinese medicine may be helpful, please GET IN TOUCH.