Constipation is a very common condition. On average, 1 out of 4 Canadians, from young to elderly, is suffering from it. The severity and duration varies between patients. Long-term constipation impacts the patients’ quality of life and could also lead to complications, such as haemorrhoids, anal fissure, rectal prolapse, etc.

Constipation symptoms generally include:

• infrequent bowel movements, generally less than 2 – 3 times per week
• difficult bowel movement, straining, inability to pass stool
• hard stools
• incomplete evacuation

Patients with constipation usually try to improve their conditions through changing their diet and taking fibre supplements or other laxatives. But unfortunately, they don’t always receive the effect as they expect, and a lot of the times, the condition becomes worse. This is because, other than the lack of fibre intake, there are also many other reasons that could cause one to have constipation. Although fibre does help improve the function of one’s digestive system, it is not always the answer to treating constipation. In addition, long-term use of other types of laxatives besides fibre could cause side effects, such as dependency, decreased bowel function, and electrolyte imbalance, which further damages the body.

In order to treat constipation effectively, we need to find out the real cause of the condition. At the early stage of constipation, patients could try improving their conditions through changing diet, eating more fibre, and drinking more fluids. If there is no sign of improvement, it is recommended to seek medical help in time to avoid worsening the condition or developing other health complications.

YangHeal Clinic provides treatments that can effectively target different types of chronic or habitual constipation. Treatment methods include acupuncture or herbal therapy. The advantage of TCM in treating constipation is that it is curative while having no side effects. Constipation is grouped into different categories based on the different causes and accompanying symptoms using TCM theories. Instead of providing a universal solution, TCM treatments are case-specific. Different treatment principles are used for different types of constipation. The final treatment plan for each patient is made through careful analysis of all aspects of the patient's condition.