Constipation is a common condition.
Difficulty in passing stools often affects older individuals, especially middle-aged and elderly women. While it may seem like a minor issue, chronic constipation can lead to other health problems, particularly if handled inappropriately, causing side effects.
As winter lingers, the cold weather tends to make many people less active. At this time, intestinal motility also slows down, and constipation can sneak up on you.
Many believe constipation is not a significant problem and turn to remedies like cassia seeds or senna leaves. However, without proper consideration of one’s body constitution and symptoms, long-term use of such substances can harm the intestines, potentially leading to conditions such as melanosis coli or intestinal polyps.
Overusing laxatives primarily aims to prevent melanosis coli. Ironically, misuse can lead to greater harm—an avoidable but costly mistake.
Some suggest using fruit enzymes to cleanse the intestines, but many studies have questioned this practice, advising caution.
Solving issues through diet may seem convenient, but good health is rarely so easily achieved.
Instead of focusing solely on “eating,” consider safer and more natural external therapies. Before exploring these methods, let’s first understand the ins and outs of constipation.
Symptoms of Constipation
Causes of Constipation
From a biomedical perspective, various factors can trigger constipation, such as intestinal diseases, tumors, diabetes, and thyroid disorders.
From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) viewpoint, the causes are mainly categorized into four types: heat, cold, Qi deficiency, and blood-essence deficiency.
For chronic or recurrent constipation, it is advisable to seek thorough medical evaluation to avoid delays in treatment.
That said, in many cases without an apparent cause, constipation may stem from the following factors:
Once organic diseases are ruled out, you can try the following TCM-inspired methods:
Change Your Diet
Consume more vegetables and whole grains.
Rolling and Breathing Exercise
For those dealing with stress, lack of movement, or structural imbalances, rolling combined with breathing is a holistic practice. Though simple, its benefits are immense if practiced consistently.
Abdominal Massage to Strengthen the Spleen and Kidneys
Pressing the Shangyang Acupoint
Shangyang is a well-known acupoint on the Large Intestine Meridian, located on the radial side of the index finger near the nail.
Use your thumb to press firmly for 1–2 minutes. This often induces the urge to defecate. For children, use gentler pressure.
5. Auricular Needle Therapy
This minimally invasive and highly effective technique is convenient and safe for treating constipation. The acupoint selection is simple: Zhigou, Zhangmen, Zhongwan, and Tianshu.
Zhigou Acupoint
Zhigou is particularly effective for constipation and belongs to the Hand Shaoyang Triple Energizer Meridian.
Zhangmen Acupoint
Located on the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Zhangmen is also the spleen’s front-mu point and the Zang association point among the Eight Converging Points.
Chronic constipation can damage or originate from the internal organs, making Zhangmen a vital point to stimulate.
Tianshu Acupoint
This key acupoint belongs to the Stomach Meridian and is also the front-mu point of the Large Intestine Meridian.
Customized Adjustment
In TCM, constipation is primarily caused by heat, cold, Qi deficiency, and blood-essence deficiency. Based on symptoms, you can add the following acupoints for targeted therapy:
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