Constipation refers to a condition in which hard stool is difficult to excrete and defecation occurs once every more than 2-3 days.

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Many cases of constipation are successfully treated by TCM TCM's treatment approach though recovering from root causes. It is more effective than other kind of treatments, also can avoid re-occurrence and no side effects. A treatment cycle should be taken one or two months.

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Syndrome (a)
Excess Heat and Qi Stagnation

Difficult bowel movement from every 2 to 3 days. In case of accumulation of Heat, there are fever, dire thirst, bad breath, preference for cold drinks, yellow and dry tongue coating, slippery and full pulse; in case of stagnation of Qi, there are fullness and distending pain in the abdomen and hypochondriac regions, frequent belching, poor appetite, thin tongue coating and taut pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: : Clearing away excess heat and removing bowel movement

Prescription/Formula: Rhubarb(Dahuang)10g, Hemp Seed (Maziren)10g, Bitter apricot kernel(Xingren)12g, White peony root(Baishaoyao)10g, Magnolia bark(Houpu)10g, Immature bitter orange(Zhishi)10g, Licorice root(Gancao) 6g

Simple Prescription: Rhubarb(Dahuang)6g, Dissolve it in hot water and drink daily.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Prescription/Formula: Dachangshu(BL25), Tianshu(ST25), Zhigou(SJ6), Shangjuxu(ST37), Hegu(LI4), Quchi(LI11)

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Syndrome (b)
Deficiency of Qi and Blood

No bowel movement of several days, accompanied with pale and lustreless complexion, lips and nails, dizziness and palpitation, pale tongue with thin and white coating, weak and thin pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Invigorating Qi and nourishing blood and removing bowel movement

Prescription/Formula: Astragalus (Huangqi) 18g, Dangshen18g, White atractylodes rhizome(Baizhu)12g, Hemp Seed (Maziren)10g Tangerine peel(Chenpi)9g, Chinese angelica (Danggui)10g, Dried rehmannia root(Shengdi)15g, Fleece-flower root(Heshouwu)15g, Licorice root(Gancao) 6g.

Simple Prescription: Fleece-flower Root(Heshouwu)20g Dissolve it in hot water and drink daily.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Prescription/Formula: Pishu(BL20), Weishu(BL21), Dachangshu(BL25), Tianshu(ST25), Zhigou(SJ6), Shangjuxu(ST37)

  

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Syndrome (c)
Internal cold due to Yang deficiency

No bowel movement for several days, accompanied with cold sensation and pain in the abdomen, preference for warmth and aversion to cold, pale tongue with white and moist coating, deep and slow pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Warming the Yang of Kidney and removing bowel movement

Prescription/Formula: Cinnamon bark(Rougui)6g, Achyanthes Root(Niuxi)15g, Chinese angelica (Danggui)10g, Licorice root(Gancao) 6g

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Prescription/Formula: Qihai(RN6), Guanyuan(RN4), Dachangshu(BL25), Tianshu(ST25), Zhigou(SJ6), Shangjuxu(ST37),

To treat by Ear Acupuncture
Prescription/Formula: Pt. Lower portion of rectum, Pt. Large Intestine, Pt. Liver, Pt. Spleen, Pt. Sympathetic Nerve, Pt. Shenmen

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies

For effect of Qigong on the Nervous System Function, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

• Static Qigong:
  Relaxation Qigong
  Inner-Nourishing Qigong
  Relaxing Quiescent Qigong
  
• Dynamic Qigong:
  Fifteen Sets of Taiji-Qigong
  Baduanjing of Internal Exercise
  Taiji
  
• Specific Dynamic Qigong:
  Regulating-Spleen Qigong
  

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

(b) Medicated diet
1.Arbo;rvitae Seed(Baiziren)15g, Black Sesame (Heizhima)30g, Walnut Seed (Hetaoren)20g, Honey10g, rice 60g, put 4 cups water then soak 20m., after boiling 30m.to make rice gruel, eat once a day for 1 months.
2. Longan Pulp20g, Astragalus Root(Huangqi)20g, thin pork100g, with 4 cups water to decoct 1-2 cups soup to drink twice a week for 2 months to treat constipation duo to Qi and blood deficiency..

(c) Life style
1) 1. Avoid to eat row, spicy, cold, deep-fried food. Be on a diet with less fat.
2) Pay attention to keep regular meals on time, and eat more vegetables and fruit.
3) Avoid mental stress and overstrain.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.