A 47-year-old woman came to our clinic complaining of chronic constipation. She had struggled with bowel function for years, but perimenopause the last few years made it worse. Miralax and other over-the-counter remedies no longer worked, and she was hesitant to take the powerful prescription medications recommended by her doctor. This constipation case review describes how a unique acupuncture protocol developed at Raleigh Acupuncture helped resolve her constipation.
Perimenopause Causes Constipation
Healthywomen.org provides a good overview of the problem. Constipation is, by definition, having fewer than three bowel movements a week. Stools can be hard and dry, accompanied by a feeling that you haven’t fully eliminated or require a lot of straining.
Constipation is more common around menopause due to hormone changes. Bowel issues occur whenever there are hormone changes, during pregnancy, the monthly menstrual cycle, and again, during menopause. According to research, estrogen fluctuations may be responsible, because “ovarian hormones influence gastrointestinal function because estrogen receptors have been found in the gastric and small intestinal mucosa.”
Acupuncture Relieves Constipation
At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have developed many effective protocols for treating constipation. However, no two cases are the same, requiring flexibility of approach based on the patient’s unique presentations. In this constipation case review, we determined that a particular acupuncture protocol would be most effective and treated our patient accordingly.
While treatment strategies vary from patient to patient, one thing that remains constant is the safety of all treatments. Acupuncture is the most effective natural treatment for constipation, with no adverse effects. Needles are sterile, single-use, and hair-thin. In addition, sessions are relaxing, with many of our patients, including this one, falling asleep during their treatments.
Constipation Case Review
Before starting acupuncture, our patient in this constipation case review had bowel movements just once a week. She felt bloated and backup up all the time, with lower abdomen and stomach pain, no appetite, and fatigue. Her condition was highly stressful, fearing she would have to go to the hospital if she was unable to have a bowel movement. Luckily that had not happened yet, but the fear was always looming in her head.
We treated her with electroacupuncture on specific points on her lower legs and abdomen. These points are highly effective in treating constipation, and we derived this protocol after many years of treating hundreds of patients with chronic constipation due to perimenopause. In other words, this treatment addressed our patient’s specific “hormone-related” constipation, not just constipation in general. So again, acupuncture’s ability to custom-design treatment plans is one of the reasons we get superior results.
Constipation Resolved With Acupuncture
Within three treatments, spaced one week apart, our patient in this constipation case review was already feeling a significant improvement in her bowel function. She had a bowel movement every two to three days, and they were significantly easier to pass. After another three treatments, she went every other day, had no more bloating, and felt substantially less stress.
After completing these six acupuncture treatments, we set her up for maintenance once a month. These monthly sessions helped keep her hormones in balance and bowel function healthy. Our goal is to resolve health issues quickly and get patients on maintenance when necessary. However, some patients do not require maintenance treatments and come in for tune-ups when they feel the need.
Next Steps
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What our Clients are Saying
I had a severe stomach flu six months ago with high fever for three days. Afterwards I had terrible constipation. I tried laxatives, but they only gave temporary relief. The pain was so bad that I started missing work. My wife’s sister had been to Raleigh Acupuncture for migraines and was very satisfied, and she suggested I call to see if they treat constipation. Not only were they able to treat me, they totally cleared up my condition in just two weeks. I am 100% better!
I’ve lived with chronic constipation my whole life. I averaged once every five days or so, and that was normal. As a result, I always felt bottled up. My brother convinced me to try acupuncture, as it helped him with his constipation. The doctor gave me pills which he said were all natural and had been around for thousands of years. He also did acupuncture. After about half a dozen treatments I was going to the bathroom every other day. It’s been a year since my treatments ended and I’m still regular. I feel great.