Guo An Tang TCM Clinic

The "Hibernating" Intestines in Constipation: Restoring Qi Flow Is Key

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.

To Address Constipation, Understand Its Causes

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

  • Small stool volume, hard consistency, and difficulty passing stools.
  • Associated with prolonged straining, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, or the need for manual assistance during defecation.
  • Without using laxatives, spontaneous bowel movements occur less than twice a week or are absent for long periods.

 

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:

  1. Poor Dietary Habits Preferring refined foods and consuming insufficient dietary fiber from whole grains and vegetables.
  2. Stress Stress impacts the nervous and endocrine systems, contributing to constipation. Digestive health often closely relates to mental state.
  3. Lack of Exercise Moving stool through the colon depends on the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles in the intestines.
    Prolonged sitting and inactivity, such as in bedridden elderly individuals, increase the likelihood of constipation.
  4. Changes in Body Structure Pelvic misalignment (e.g., anterior tilt, posterior tilt, or lateral tilt) can cause pelvic pressure imbalances, leading to constipation.
Rolling and breathing exercises can help correct imbalances.The animated image is for reference only; actual rolling should be done more slowly.

TCM Methods to Prevent Constipation

Once organic diseases are ruled out, you can try the following TCM-inspired methods:

  1. Change Your Diet
    Consume more vegetables and whole grains.

  2. 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.

  3. Abdominal Massage to Strengthen the Spleen and Kidneys

  4. 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.

Looking for an experienced practitioner in Singapore?

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:

  • Heat Syndrome: Add Quchi.
  • Cold Syndrome: Add Zusanli, Shangjuxu, and Xiaojuxu.
  • Qi Deficiency: Add Chize and Zusanli.
  • Blood-Essence Deficiency: Add Sanyinjiao and Zhaohai.For daily use, you can also brew Cistanche Tea based on your constitution.

Looking for an experienced practitioner in Singapore?​