Does Acupuncture Help with Constipation?

What is Constipation?

Constipation is a common condition that affects the digestive system, making it hard to empty the bowels. A person with constipation may also suffer from hardened, dry stools. This condition is made worse by junk food consumption, a lack of fiber within the diet, excessive consumption of dairy products, excessive use of laxatives, and changes in eating and physical activity.

What Are the Causes of Constipation?

There are various health conditions and digestive disorders that may cause constipation, including:

Disorders of the endocrine system
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Bowel cancer
Obesity

In addition to the conditions listed above, constipation may be caused by poor diet or eating certain foods. Dehydration is another cause. A lack of fiber within the diet is often a cause of constipation and other stomach issues. That’s why eating a diet that’s high in fiber, combined with regular acupuncture sessions helps.

Acupuncture & Constipation

I have seen incredible results treating constipation with acupuncture. Other natural remedies include healthy eating, exercise, and eating/excluding certain foods in your diet. So, why does acupuncture work for constipation? Acupuncture works because it promotes the stimulation of blood flow and energy throughout the body – but most importantly, it stimulates blood flow within any blockages that exist in the large intestine, stomach, and colon. Acupuncture is also effective because it stimulates your body’s natural hydration mechanisms, which flow directly to the bowels and thus support easy excretion.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment that helps with symptoms like pain, illness, emotional distress and hormonal imbalance, by increasing circulation and reducing inflammation. The key to understanding acupuncture is that it addresses these ailments as a whole. In other words, it recognizes that insomnia, anxiety, pain, migraines and other issues are the result of fundamental functions within the body that are not working properly. Therefore, acupuncture is not putting the proverbial band-aid on the wound. Instead, acupuncture is about healing the wound from the inside out.

How Many Acupuncture Sessions are Needed to Treat Constipation?

This is a great question and the truth is, it depends. Acupuncture is a treatment that should be continued. You may feel great after one session, but chances are, it will take a few sessions to truly feel lasting benefits. Many practitioners recommend around five treatment sessions to efficiently treat constipation, and then more moving forward as needed. That’s because regular acupuncture sessions help your body enhance its natural bowel movements by intensifying the stimulation of energy channels around and near the area of concern.

What are the Health Benefits of Acupuncture for Constipation

Regular acupuncture sessions strengthen the immune system.
Acupuncture helps you deal with your body’s existing bowel irregularities, not only relieving constipation, but also improving digestion overall.
It minimizes constipation-related health risks. Constipation causes strain, headaches, and other issues. By removing constipation from your daily routine, you’re removing those health risks.
Acupuncture helps the body relax. While helping your constipation, you may also feel less anxiety, depression and more. Also, you’ll likely have better sleep and less mental strain.

Perineal Massage for Constipation

Perineal massage may also be able to help you. It is a specific type of acupressure, involving the massaging of the perineu, which is the area between the anus and genitals. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture and often used in conjunction with it. Perineal massage involves repeated, gentle, circular strokes around the perineum. This type of massage is meant to help you break up, pass, and soften a constipated stool. It is used in conjunction with the regular acupuncture session.

What Can You Expect from an Acupuncture Session?

If you choose to attend an acupuncture session or sessions to deal with constipation, there are a few things you should expect.

The First Session

Your acupuncturist will first ask a few questions, including what symptoms you’re trying to alleviate. How long have you been dealing with constipation? What have you done to try and help the bowel movement? What is your diet like? Your practitioner will come up with the best personalized treatment plan for you. Also let them know what medications you’re taking. You should also take this initial meeting as an opportunity to ask any lingering questions or concerns you may have about acupuncture and how it helps with constipation.

What Treatment is Like

Repeat for the Best Results

Keep in mind, acupuncture is not about instant gratification. Sessions are meant to be repeated – that’s how you’ll get the best results. Some people notice subtle improvements quickly, while others say the change they feel is gradual. Especially when it comes to helping with symptoms of constipation, repeated acupuncture sessions are needed in order to see results. According to the study linked above, patients saw relief after repeated sessions over a month-long period.

How can you find a qualified Acupuncturist in Raleigh, North Carolina?

If you’re searching for a qualified Acupuncturist in Raleigh, North Carolina, you’ll want to find someone with experience, qualifications, and compassion. Look no further than Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. Our goal since 2010 has been to provide quality and compassionate acupuncture in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas. Much like the balance that Acupuncture provides for your body, we provide our patients with balanced care: the highest quality healthcare, while at the same time focusing on compassionate services that treat you, the patient, with holistic, individualized treatment.

Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center for all of your Acupuncture needs

Hi, I’m Jim Eleczko, the founder of Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center and it’s my mission to provide you with compassionate, whole-person care using holistic treatments, including Acupuncture. I’m a board-certified and licensed Acupuncturist practicing since 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. I love that I get to wake up every day to make meaningful changes in my patient’s lives. I’ve seen first hand the changes that Acupuncture can make. As a teen I suffered from allergies and my father suggested that I try Acupuncture to calm the symptoms. It worked – and left a lasting impression on me! Now I offer Acupuncture and other treatments to help people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, migraines, fibromyalgia, and more. Our other treatments include Dry Needling, Tuina Massage, Guasha, Cupping, Stretching, Orthopedic Movements, Electroacupuncture and Therapeutic Exercises.

Here’s a bit more about me and my qualifications: I studied the 4-year program at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine and continue to travel multiple times a year to study with my mentor, Andrew Nugent-Head. I also studied under Dr. Ed Garbacz, M.D. LAc and spent a year working and studying under Dr. Bonnie Walker, M.D. LAc. I have also done extensive post-graduate studies in acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine from lectures of acupuncturists like Dr. Nguyen Van Nghi, Dr. Tran Viet Dzung, Matt Callison, and Edward Obaidey.

Get in touch with me by calling (919) 260-4104. I’d be happy to answer your questions and get you booked for an appointment today!