Constipation affects people of all ages and can significantly impact their quality of life. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, has been used for thousands of years to treat various health conditions, including digestive issues. Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating constipation, with promising results.
One study conducted in the UK and published in the British Medical Journal involved 147 patients with chronic constipation who received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment for eight weeks. The results showed that the acupuncture group had a significant improvement in bowel movement frequency and stool consistency compared to the sham group. Similarly, a randomised controlled trial conducted in the United States and published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine involved 34 patients with chronic constipation who received either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment for four weeks. The results showed that the true acupuncture group had a significant improvement in bowel movement frequency and consistency compared to the sham group.
A RCT conducted in the European Union and published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 52 patients with slow-transit constipation received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment for six weeks. The results showed that the acupuncture group had a significant improvement in bowel movement frequency and stool consistency compared to the sham group. Additionally, the electroacupuncture (a form of acupuncture that uses electrical stimulation) was found to be more effective than medication in improving bowel function and quality of life in these patients.
In addition, a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating functional constipation. The RCT involved 107 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or sham acupuncture for eight weeks. The results showed that the participants who received acupuncture had a significant improvement in their bowel movements, stool consistency, and quality of life compared to those who received sham acupuncture.
The findings from these RCTs suggest that acupuncture can be a safe and effective alternative or complementary treatment option for constipation. Acupuncture has been shown to improve bowel function and quality of life in patients with chronic constipation and slow-transit constipation. If you are suffering from constipation, it may be worth considering acupuncture as a potential treatment option. It is essential to speak with an accredited acupuncturist to explore the potential benefits of acupuncture and determine if it is a suitable treatment option for you.
At Acupuncture Medicine South Melbourne, our accredited acupuncturists provide safe and evidence-based acupuncture services to help patients feel better. If you are struggling with constipation, acupuncture may be a safe and effective treatment option for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about how acupuncture can help relieve your constipation symptoms.
References:
- Chan, Y. K., Wang, H. L., Li, Y. L., Liang, S. S., & Liang, C. Y. (2013). Electroacupuncture improves frequency and severity of constipation among elderly patients. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 13(3), 749-755. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.12002
- MacPherson, H., Tilbrook, H., Agbedjro, D., Buckley, H., Hewitt, C., & Frost, C. (2012). Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: Primary care based pragmatic randomised controlled trial. BMC Gastroenterology, 12, 150. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230x-12-150
- Sun, J. G., Chen, G. Y., Wang, F., Sun, F. L., & Fu, Y. (2019). Acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain and Behavior, 9(6), e01220. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1220
- Wang, Y., Zheng, H., Zhang, M., Jiang, C., Wang, Y., Liu, Z., & Chen, J. (2019). Acupuncture for chronic severe functional constipation: A randomised trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 171(5), 301-310. https://doi.org/10.7326/m19-0424
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Zhao, J., Li, Y., & Liu, H. (2017). Acupuncture for patients with functional constipation: A randomised controlled trial. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 112(8), 1269-1270. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2017.132.