New research concludes acupuncture most effective resolving constipation. This randomly controlled trial conducted at Zhejiang Tongde Hospital in China concluded, “Acupuncture increases the contractile activity of intestinal smooth muscle and benefits bowel movements. It significantly improves CSBMs [complete spontaneous bowel movements] for patients with severe functional constipation.” This constipation relief acupuncture study is strong evidence that acupuncture is the best treatment for constipation.
Constipation Relief Acupuncture Study
Seventy patients participated in the study. All suffered from functional constipation. This is a form of constipation without a known trigger. Functional constipation is characterized by two or less bowel movements per week, fecal incontinence or painful or hard bowel movements.
The hospital researchers used acupuncture to regulate peristalsis (intestinal constriction and relaxation that creates wavelike movements, which pushes stools through the intestine) and digestion. This constipation relief acupuncture study proved that acupuncture promotes healthy peristaltic movement and alleviates constipation.
Patient outcomes were evaluated using modern scientific methodologies. For control and accuracy study design purposes, true acupuncture was compared with fake acupuncture (sham acupuncture). Using this approach to the study design, the researchers determined that acupuncture produces significant positive patient outcomes for patients with functional constipation.
Who Was In The Study?
All participants had a diagnosis of severe functional constipation. The patients were randomly divided into a true acupuncture group and a sham control group. There were 35 patients in each group. Patients participating in the study met the following inclusion criteria:
- Rome III diagnostic standard for functional constipation
- Diagnosed with severe constipation, with complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) ≤2 times per week for no less than three consecutive months
- Age between 18—75 years
- Did not take any anti-constipation drugs within at least 2 weeks prior to the research start date
- Did not participate in other clinical research
Exclusion criteria assured that patients participating in the study suffered from functional constipation and not constipation secondary to a separate, known condition. Patients who had the following conditions did not participate in the study:
- Constipation secondary to biologically identified illnesses
- Severe cardiovascular, liver, kidney, digestive, or hematopoietic diseases
- Unable to follow instructions from researchers due to cognitive function problems or psychosis
- Pregnant or lactating
- Progressive malignant tumors or other severe consumptive diseases
- Prone to infection and bleeding or taking blood thinner medication
- Uses a heart pacemaker
Acupuncture Points Used
The following acupuncture points were used in the constipation relief acupuncture study:
ST25 (Stomach 25, Tianshu)
SP14 (Spleen 14, Fujie)
ST37 (Stomach 37, Shangjuxu)
These points are used in classic acupuncture prescriptions in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system. According to TCM principles, ST25 is the front-mu point of the large intestine. It has a powerful stimulating and regulatory effect on peristalsis. This acupuncture point has a homeostatic effect on the large intestine and is indicated for the treatment of both diarrhea and constipation.
SP14 is located on the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle. According to the Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), a textbook written during the Jin Dynasty, SP14 is effective for the treatment of constipation. This classic work, written by Huang-fu Mi, was originally published in 282 CE. The researchers wanted to test the efficacy of this ancient acupuncture point in treating constipation.
The third acupuncture point used in the study was ST37 (Shangjuxu), located on the lower leg, approximately 6 inches below the knee. It is called a “lower he-sea” point for the large intestine, , making it an important point in the treatment of large intestine related disorders. ST37’s designation as the large intestine lower he-sea was originally described in the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic (Huangdi Neijing), written 2,000 years ago.
The Treatments
This acupuncture point prescription was given to patients with both manual and electroacupuncture techniques. ST25 and SP14 were needled with electroacupuncture, while ST37 was applied using manual acupuncture. For both the treatment group and the control group, one 30-minute acupuncture session was conducted per day. A full course of treatment lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. To evaluate the treatment effective rate, patients were scored before and after the treatments.
Sham acupuncture was applied to participants in the control group. The method chosen for the study design was active sham, non-acupuncture point stimulation. The locations for the sham points were as follows:
1 inch lateral to ST25
1 inch lateral to SP14
1 inch lateral to BL25
The following protocol was observed. Each acupuncture point was needled to a shallow depth of 2 mm. Next, an electroacupuncture device was connected, but the device was powered off. The patients were told that electricity was set to 0.5 mA, at 15 Hz.
This represents a slightly controversial study design because shallow needling of non-acupuncture points for sham controls may have potential therapeutic benefits. Despite this concern, the data still indicated that true acupuncture resolved functional constipation and sham acupuncture did not. Only true acupuncture regulated peristalsis.
Results
Regarding true acupuncture, the researchers stated that “electroacupuncture increases the contractile activity of intestinal smooth muscle and benefits bowel movements.” They add that only true acupuncture resulted in “significantly improved complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) in patients with severe functional constipation.”
The researchers measured positive patient outcomes and determined that acupuncture was effective for the resolution of functional constipation. In addition, the researchers tested the validity of ancient acupuncture point prescription protocols and validated their efficacy. In a modernization of ancient acupuncture, electroacupuncture was added to the treatment protocol. The results indicated that acupuncture was both safe and effective for the treatment of functional constipation.
What To Expect
This constipation relief acupuncture research mirrors our own experiences treating constipation at Raleigh Acupuncture. We have been treating functional constipation for years and have a high rate of success.
As in this study, we use sterile, single-use needles. Treatments are relaxing. Many of our patients fall asleep during their sessions. Afterwards you will feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
Next Steps
BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online. Or call use at 919-819-8113 and we will book an appointment for you.
WATCH VIDEO ABOUT OUR CONSTIPATION TREATMENT.
READ TESTIMONIALS ABOUT OUR CONSTIPATION TREATMENT.
SEE ALL THE DIGESTIVE CONDITIONS WE TREAT.
References
Shen YF, Fang JQ, Chen LF et al. Electroacupuncture in Treating Severe Functional Constipation: A Randomized Controlled Tria [J]. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2016, 35(12).
Longstreth GF, Thompson WG, Chey WD, et al. Functional Bowel Disorders [J]. Gastroenterology, 2006, 130(5):1480-1491.
Guo R. Analysis of Mood and Sleep in Patients with Function Constipation [J]. China Modern Medicine, 2013, 20 (26):29-30.
Du WF, Yu L, Yan XK et al. Meta-analysis on Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Constipation, 2012, 32(1):92-96.
If you have questions about this constipation relief acupuncture study, feel free to give us a call at 919-819-8113.
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.