Constipation

"Constipation" Issue / Symptom Connections

Below you will find various relationships to, and potential clinical treatment approaches for constipation.

Content Related to Constipation

It is critical to appreciate that in Chinese Medicine, treatment for "constipation" is rarely focused on the symptoms exclusively. Alternatively, a practitioner is looking at the factors that led to the development of "constipation" - i.e. the "cause(s)".

For non-practitioners, we recommend reading treating the "cause" and not the "symptoms" for more on the overall approach and the importance of the TCM diagnostic system in formulating treatment approaches.

Within TCM, "constipation" is potentially related to one or more of the following diagnostic patterns: kidney yin deficiency, and/or spleen blood deficiency.

The above patterns are common examples. In clinical situations, however, there are any number of other possibilities. Many times there will be a layered combination of patterns in an interwoven blend with their symptoms - some being the cause of an issue and the result of another issue. While initially complex, this is illustrative of the the web of relationships that Chinese Medicine is designed to approach.

Related Acupuncture Protocols

When developing an acupuncture protocol a practitioner is very often focusing on the causal diagnoses in Chinese Medicine terms, not on the condition itself. To illustrate and guide developing an acupuncture treatment for someone experiencing constipation, this issue is referenced in the following acupuncture protocol sections:

• View EX Huatuojiaji at L3 (Sides of Spine at L3)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of L3
  
      L3 innverates the prostate in men and the ovaries in women.  In women, then, this point may help with a range of ovarian issues - cancer, fertility and/or menstrual issues, cysts, etc.  In men this point can be very helpful for prostate pr…
• View EX Huatuojiaji at L4 (Sides of Spine at L4)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of L4
  
      L4 innervates the large intestine and is used for a range of colon issues, distention, diarrrhea, constipation, crohn's, IBS and more.  Also useful for low back and/or sciatic pain, weakness in the lower extremities, etc.  Collections of d…
• View EX Huatuojiaji at T12 (Sides of Spine at T12)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of T12
  
      T12 innervates the transverse colon and is used for colon issues such as constipation, diarrhea, or colon cancer. Used  extensively within the Tam Healing System and Tong Ren Therapy. May be needled and used with tuina and/or tonren thera…
• View KD 6 (Shining Sea)
  
      In a depression below the tip of the medial malleolus.
  
      Sore throat from any etiology, especially empty heat from yin deficiency. Other Yin Deficient throat related issues - swollen, dry, loss of voice, difficult swallowing. A range of menstrual issues such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, infert…
• View KD 7 (Recover Flow)
  
      2 cun above KD 3 on the anterior border of the achilles tendon.
  
      Tonifies KD Yang, especially with respect to water regulation - sweating (too much or too little, spontaneous), swellings, urinary issues. Oedema, especially chronic effecting the abdomen a/or lower legs. Five types of Lin Disorder - res…
• View KD 16 (Huang Shu)
  
      .5 cun lateral to CV 8.
  
      Cold a/or Dry effecting the lower abdomen a/or intestines - constipation, abdominal pain, five types of Lin, shan disorder
• View KD 17 (Shang Bend)
  
      2 cun above CV 8, .5 cun lateral to CV 10.
  
      Local point for abdominal and colon pain and functional issues. Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain.
• View SP 14 (Abdominal Bind)
  
      1.3 cun below SP 15 and 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline on the lateral side of rectus abdominus.
  
      Warms the middle warmer and dissipates cold for lower abdominal pain, diarrhea (from cold), abdominal pain, constipation. Resolves counterflow qi - can be used to subdue fright (i.e. panic attacks) from counterflow qi disrupting the heart…
• View SP 15 (Great Horizontal)
  
      4 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus (CV 8) lateral to rectus abdominus.
  
      Regulate the Qi of the Intestines - constipation, diarrhea (ST 25 better for diarrhea), abdominal pain and distention.
• View ST 10 (Water Prominence)
  
      Midway between ST 9 and ST 11 at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle.
  
      Local point - swollen/sore throat, shortness of breath, goitre, scrofula. Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Used to effect the circulation within the common carotid artery and the vagus nerve.  Useful for issues such as high cholesterol, const…
• View ST 22 (Pass Gate)
  
      2 cun lateral to the AML level with CV 11.
  
      Abdominal pain, bloating, gurgling in the stomach/intestines (boborygmus). Diarrhea, constipation, poor appetite. Edema. Useful for bedwetting with HT 7 and UB 40 or LU 1 and HT 7 (deadman text).
• View ST 25 (Celestial Pivot)
  
      2 cun lateral to the AML level with CV 8.
  
      All intestinal issues - constipation, diarrhea, dysentary, distention, pain, masses/accumulations of any type. Irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, fibroids/cysts, fertility issues and leukorrhea. Connects the Upper and Lower Wa…
• View ST 36 (Leg Three Li)
  
      3 cun below ST 35, one finger width lateral from the anterior border of the tibia.
  
      Tonify deficient Qi a/or Blood. Tonify Wei Qi and Qi overall - low immunity, chronic illness, poor digestion, general weakness, particularly with moxibustion, very important acupuncture point for building and maintaining overall health. …
• View ST 37 (Upper Great Hollow)
  
      6 cun below ST 35, one finger width lateral from the anterior border of the tibia.
  
      Generally for excess and more acute disorders of the intestines and digestive system involving dampness and/or heat - diarrhea, dysentary, boborygmus, abdominal pain, bloating, distention, constipation. Sea of Blood Point - if excess the …
• View ST 41 (Ravine Divide)
  
      On the midpoint of the transverse crease of the ankle, approximately level with the tip of the external malleolus, in a…
  
      Opposite end of channel issues (i.e. head/face) - swelling, headache, dizziness / vertigo. Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation. Can aid groundedness and focus - ADD/ADHD, mania, restlessness, palpitations, epilepsy. Local point for a…
• View ST 44 (Inner Court)
  
      Proximal to the web margin between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, in a depression distal and lateral to the 2nd meta…
  
      Ying Spring Point - Clears heat from the channel and organ - febrile disease with absence of sweating.  Useful for issues of the Face & Jaw along with LI 4 - toothache, facial pain, bell's palsy, stroke, sore throat, eye pain. Damp H…
• View UB 25 (Large Intestine Shu)
  
      1.5 cun lateral to GV 3, level with L4.
  
      Main point for low back pain especially when related to constipation a/or menstruation. Combine with local points such as GV 3, UB 26, Shiqizhui (between L5 and S1), UB 31, UB 32, GB 30 & distal points such as GB 34, GB 39, GB 41, UB 4…
• View UB 33 (Central Bone Hole)
  
      On the sacrum medial and inferior to UB 32, level with the 3rd PSF.
  
      UB 31, UB 32, UB 33 & UB 34 together form the "Eight Liao" points and are all useful for local low back a/or sacrum problems and most genital and urinary related disorders. Of these UB 32 is most often used clinically. In women may be…
• View UB 34 (Lower Bone Hole)
  
      On the sarcum lateral to GV 2, level with the 4th PSF.
  
      UB 31, UB 32, UB 33 & UB 34 together form the "Eight Liao" points and are all useful for local low back a/or sacrum problems and most genital and urinary related disorders. Of these UB 32 is most often used clinically. Useful for cons…
• View UB 38 (Superficial Cleft)
  
      1 cun above UB 39 on the medial side of the tendon of biceps femoris (found with knee slightly bent).
  
      Similar functions to the bladder points on the sacrum and leg in that it relieves pain and moves the triple warmer.  Pain related issues such as pain and/or numbness in the buttocks, pain along the meridian in the thigh or outer thigh. Dr…