Our overall health is affected by numerous factors which include being able to take and to extract nutrition from our food, being able to draw air into our lungs, and to also let go of the numerous waste products that are produced by our bodies. Regular bowel movements are an essential part of good health - whether we like to discuss them or not.
Constipation can happen to everyone
It is estimated that 1 in every 7 adults have constipation. For a condition that no one wants to talk about it is a pretty common occurrence!
When we are in good health we have regular and easy bowel movements.
Whilst bowel movements can vary considerably between individuals there is a general definition of what regular means - that’s anything between three times a day to three times a week. When we have fewer movements than this we have constipation. In addition to making us feel unwell and down constipation can also cause us to strain excessively in order to have a bowel movement - leading to conditions such as haemorrhoids. Discover an alternative natural solution with chinese medicine for constipation.
What is constipation?
We experience constipation when we pass infrequent bowel movements that are difficult to release and we may feel that we have not had a complete evacuation of our bowels. When we do eventually pass them their texture can range from small stones to large bulky masses or even diarrhoea.
We experience chronic constipation when infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools persists for several weeks or longer.
Constipation can usually be divided into two main categories:
- Primary constipation: Constipation that occurs without any clear cause.
- Secondary constipation: Constipation that results from lifestyle factors, underlying illness or medication
When we seek to help patients who are suffering with constipation it is essential that we understand what sort of constipation they have – is it the primary or secondary type? This is because the chinese medicine for constipation treatment that we recommend is different for each of these conditions and is tailored to suit the individual needs and specific constitution of our patients. We take the time to talk with our patients and to discover the root cause of constipation – it is only then that we are able to help to achieve lasting relief from this problem.
Understanding constipation from a Chinese Medicine perspective
Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts explain constipation as the result of a number of factors including Excess Heat, Qi Stagnation, Yin Deficiency, or Kidney Deficiency.
Excess Heat is where a pathological amount of heat has been allowed to accumulate. Heat causes constipation by drying out the colon and this dries out the stool. Patients with Excess Heat have hard and dry stools, they may have a red complexion and a dry mouth.
Qi Stagnation results in constipation as the normal movement of Stomach and Intestinal Qi is inhibited – insufficient energy is generated to push out waste matter. Patients with Qi Stagnation will present with difficulty in passing stools accompanied with feelings of incomplete evacuation. They may also experience abdominal distension and pain.
There is research evidence to suggest that Yin Deficiency can cause constipation. The major clinical manifestation of Yin deficiency is dryness: dry mouth, dry skin, dry eyes, and dry stools are all frequently associated with this condition. Where there is a lack of Yin there are insufficient fluids to lubricate the intestine, thus making it difficult for the hardened stools to pass.
Emotional stress leads to Liver Qi Stagnation. This obstructs the free flow of Qi and leads to to constipation, abdominal distention, and pain. Here the stools may appear small and round, and there may be feelings of frustration, anger, or depression accompanying this type of constipation.
Kidney Deficiency would be accompanied with diarrhoea. Here defecation would only be possible with great strain and you might experience sharp stabbing pains and exhaustion after passing a bowel movement.
Lifestyle factors – taking control of constipation
There are several things that you can do to help your body to effectively eliminate waste products and optimise your gut health.
Our diet plays a major role on how effective we are at eliminating waste from our bodies. Increasing the amount of dietary fibre and ensuring that we are adequately hydrated will together help to optimise the quality of our stools. There are two sort of fibre – soluble and insoluble fibre, and both forms are necessary. Soluble fibre dissolves in water and creates a gel that helps the waste product pass through the body. Insoluble fibre softens the stool and enables it to easily pass out of the body.
Try reducing your weekly intake of red meat and cheese and increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables that you eat. Dried plums, apples and pears are excellent and delicious sources of fibre.
There is evidence to suggest that stress can cause constipation. When we experience stressful situations or restrict the healthy urge to defecate can slow down the muscle contractions – or peristalsis – of the stool as it passes along the colon. This will mean that more water is drawn out by the colon (large intestine) which makes it harder and more difficult to pass.
Going to the loo is perfectly natural. Try to reduce any stigma that you have about needing to go. If you are regularly stressed practice being mindful a few times a day – it can help to reduce your stress levels and put you back in control of your bowel movements.
Exercise is extremely effective at improving constipation. Increasing your movement will speed up the transit time for waste products to pass along the colon. This in turn reduces the amount of water that your body absorbs from the stool – meaning that they are softer and easier to pass. Upping the amount of exercise you do will speed up your breathing and heart rate which will further stimulate the peristaltic movement along your colon – helping you to pass out stools more effectively.
Let’s start with baby steps – even a small increase in movement will help. Try to add an extra five minutes of walking to your daily routine – before you know it you will be up to 30 minutes extra a day. Your body will reap the benefits!
Chinese Medicine for Constipation : give it a go
There is a lot of evidence to suggest that Chinese medicine for constipation is highly effective. Especially acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment is helpful at optimising gut health and also improves the symptoms of constipation – naturally, gently and effectively.
Acupuncture works : According to research acupuncture is great at helping to stimulate the colon to move more effectively. There is a wealth of evidence that suggests how helpful it is for this condition. Don’t worry – we don’t need to needle it directly in order to have a therapeutic effect! Tiny sterile needles are placed into specific points located on the arms and hands and these activate deep energetic pathways to simulate the peristaltic movement that transports the stools out of the body. Chinese medicine for constipation treatment is also aimed at strengthening energy and opening up any blockages in the flow of energy as it travels around the body.
There are a number of excellent herbal remedies that can help to ease constipation naturally. Depending on the sort of constipation that you have our expert practitioners may recommend that you take some fresh ginger which is extremely effective at getting things moving.
Peppermint (Bo He) is a popular herb used widely worldwide for its great natural anti inflammatory properties. Ginsen’s peppermint is a specially formulated high grade botanical extract that can help reduce tension headaches and stress and improve digestive health. Peppermint also detoxes the Liver naturally helping it to eliminate toxins and it supports overall wellbeing.
Our delicious Body Cleanse Tea aids the body to detox regularly and naturally. This tea assists with weight loss and enables the liver, the colon and the kidneys to work in harmony.
Our team of expert practitioners are here and happy to help you gain control of your constipation. Why not book your free consultation today? TCM is an effective and treatment to restore calm to your digestive system.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.