Constipation is a common bowel disorder that affects many people around the world and can impact one’s quality of life. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for constipation and can help alleviate symptoms as well as increase stool frequency. In a clinical trial, fifteen participants received acupuncture treatment and had an increase in spontaneous complete bowel movements occurring more than three times a week. These improvements lasted for four weeks after treatment completion. Taking herbal medicine can also help with alleviating symptoms. The Integrative Medicine database of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center documents how the traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Ma Zi Ren Wan, can help with increasing complete spontaneous bowel movement frequency.
Please contact us at 301.880.3232 to see if these treatments could help you. For more information on the services we provide, please visit our services page.
References:
Lee, H. Y., Kwon, O. J., Kim, J. E., Kim, M., Kim, A. R., Park, H. J., Cho, J. H., Kim, J. H., & Choi, S. M. (2018). Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for functional constipation: a randomised, sham-controlled pilot trial. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 18(1), 186. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2243-4
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (2021, June 7). Ma Zi Ren Wan. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/mazirenwan
Wang, X., & Yin, J. (2015). Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Chronic Constipation. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015, 396396. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/396396