Acupuncture for Constipation

Trying to find “acupuncture for constipation near me”? 

Although constipation a common issue, it should be treated properly especially if you are experiencing frequent constipation. It could get worse. 

Come by our clinic and be treated by the best acupuncturist for constipation in Irvine.

Get pain relief now!

constipation
constipation

“Each treatment session exceedingly met my expectations – Dr. Fu has a calming aura which tones down my nervousness with needles and even puts me to sleep while I wait for the needles to do its work!” – T.L. (San Diego, CA)

Table of Contents

Constipation Information

Constipation is one of the most common digestive issues in the United States. It is a condition that will be experienced at some point in someone’s life. However, it was estimated that over 4 million people in the United States have frequent constipation, corresponding to a prevalence of about 2 percent, and of those people, about 900 people die annually from diseases associated with or related to constipation [1].

There is one treatment for constipation that is recommended because of its effectiveness and long-term effects. You should try acupuncture for constipation.

 

Does Acupuncture For Constipation Work?

Acupuncture for constipation was found to work. In one study, they looked at the effects of acupuncture on functional constipation, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). They separated 30 patients into two groups where one received acupuncture for constipation and the other received sham acupuncture. The participants received acupuncture treatment for 9 weeks and were followed for 4 weeks after the treatment. During that time, they were able to find improvement in spontaneous complete bowel movement (SCBM) each week and it even continued to improve for 4 weeks after [2].

In another study, they looked at the difference between deep and shallow needling on the effects on functional constipation. In addition to the two types of needling, they also compared it to lactulose, a product to help with constipation. They had 475 participants struggling with functional constipation separated into three groups where two received deep or shallow acupuncture and one only received lactulose. They found that regardless of needling, acupuncture for constipation can improve intestinal function remarkably. They also found that although the therapeutic effects of acupuncture for constipation were the same as lactulose, they found the sustained effects of acupuncture for constipation was better than lactulose. They concluded that this factor it may qualify the superiority of acupuncture for constipation [3].

Interested in “acupuncture for constipation near me”? Get a complimentary consultation with the best acupuncturist for constipation in Irvine.

acupuncture for constipation Irvine
acupuncture for constipation Irvine
Acupuncture For Constipation

Understanding Acupuncture For Constipation

Acupuncture for constipation doesn’t just treat the condition but it treats the whole being. This has to do with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) beliefs that issues to the body are formed as a result of an imbalance or disturbance of one’s body energy called qi. To resolve this imbalance of qi and restore the body’s health, acupuncturists use thin needles to target points in the body called acupoints to stimulate the flow of qi. As a result of acupuncture, the balanced flow of qi is restored and the body begins to naturally heal to its healthy state.

Think of trying “acupuncture for constipation near me”? Come to our clinic and receive acupuncture treatment for constipation. Also, receive a complimentary consultation from our acupuncturist, Dr. Fu. Book now by calling:

Additional Info

Most people know how constipation feels like but there are other symptoms that might point to constipation. Symptoms of constipation include:

  • Having fewer than three bowel movements a week
  • Passing lumpy or hard stools
  • Trouble having a bowel movement (straining or painful)
  • Bloating
  • Feeling a blockage in the rectum
  • Feeling like you haven’t completely let everything out even though you went recently
  • Feeling the need to help empty the rectum by pressing your stomach or using your finger to remove stool from the rectum

Note: If symptoms of constipation persist for more than 3 months, it is considered chronic. This could either be chronic idiopathic constipation (functional constipation) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The causes of constipation can vary from simple lifestyle choices to other medical issues. If you have constipation, here are some reasons constipation happens:

Common Causes of constipation:

  • Lack of fiber in one’s diet
  • Dehydrated
  • Lack of exercise
  • Traveling or changes in routine
  • Drinking a lot of dairy product
  • Stress
  • Resisting the impulse to have a bowel movement
  • Some medications
  • Antacid medicines

Underlying medical issues that can cause constipation:

  • Narrowing of the colon (bowel stricture)
  • Eating disorders 
  • Problems with the nerves and muscles in your digestive system
  • Neurological conditions (e.g Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Overuse of laxatives
  • Dyssynergia
  • Colon Cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Anismus

Constipation can happen to anyone but there are people who are more prone to constipation. Here are some risk factors:

  • Age 65 or older
  • Being pregnant
  • Being confined to bed
  • Being a woman or child
  • Bad diet especially lacking in fiber and water

When it comes to constipation, there are complications when it comes to chronic constipation. Some complications include:

  • Swollen veins in your anus (hemorrhoids): Too much strain to have a bowel movement can cause the veins in and around the anus to start swelling.
  • Torn skin in your anus (anal fissure): Small tears in the anus can be caused by a large and/or hard stool.
  • Stool that can’t be expelled (fecal impaction): Stools can harden in the intestine and can be stuck inside.
  • Intestine that protrudes from the anus (rectal prolapse): Straining too hard to have a bowel movement can cause part of the rectum to protrude out the anus.

When it comes to constipation, there are some things to help prevent it from occurring:

  • Drink water
  • Eat enough fiber
  • Remain active
  • When you need to go, don’t hold it in
  • Create a regular schedule for bowel movements

[1] Sonnenberg A, Koch TR. Epidemiology of constipation in the United StatesDis Colon Rectum. 1989;32(1):1-8. doi:10.1007/BF02554713

[2] Lee, Hye-Yoon et al. “Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for functional constipation: a randomised, sham-controlled pilot trial.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine vol. 18,1 186. 15 Jun. 2018, doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2243-4

[3] Wu J, Liu B, Li N, et al. Effect and safety of deep needling and shallow needling for functional constipation: a multicenter, randomized controlled trialMedicine (Baltimore). 2014;93(28):e284. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000284

Award-Winning Acupuncturist

best acupuncturist in irvine

Dr. Chun-Ming Fu Ph.D.

Skip to content