How Acupuncture Can Help Relieve Constipation

Chronic constipation affects 9-20% of the adult population in the United States. This means it’s not just an occasional inconvenience, it’s a constant condition that can affect comfort, energy levels, and overall health.

If you’ve tried diet changes, fiber supplements, or over-the-counter remedies without lasting success, acupuncture may provide the relief you’ve been seeking. At Minnesota Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Kierstin Beaman, DACM, wants to help you find relief from chronic constipation.

Read on to learn the effects acupuncture can have on regularity.

Understanding constipation

Everyone’s experience with constipation can be different, but clinically, constipation usually means:

• Fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Straining or difficulty passing stool
• Hard or lumpy stool
• A persistent feeling of incomplete emptying

Common causes of constipation include dehydration, low-fiber diets, stress, certain medications, and underlying health conditions. Usually, lifestyle changes, such as getting more fiber and not delaying bathroom visits, can help people overcome constipation. But many patients find that their symptoms continue despite their best efforts.

How acupuncture helps

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) often links constipation to imbalances in the flow of energy and the health of the digestive organs, particularly the spleen, stomach, and large intestine. Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body to restore balance, encourage healthy digestion, and promote bowel regularity.

From a medical perspective, acupuncture influences the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract in several ways. By stimulating specific points with very fine needles, acupuncture can activate peripheral nerves, which, in turn, affect the enteric nervous system, the network of nerves that controls digestion. Electroacupuncture is a modern form of treatment that has proven particularly effective in studies.

Studies show that acupuncture may:

• Increase gastrointestinal motility by stimulating smooth muscle contractions in the intestines
• Regulate neurotransmitters and hormones that influence bowel function, including serotonin and motilin
• Improve blood flow to the digestive organs, supporting healthy function
• Reduce stress and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes “rest and digest” activity

Acupuncture can thus help restore normal bowel patterns and provide relief from constipation in a safe, non-pharmacological way.

What to expect with acupuncture treatment

When you come in for your visit, Dr. Beaman takes a detailed health history and may ask about digestion, stress levels, and daily habits. 

She then inserts very fine, sterile needles at selected points, often on the hands, arms, legs, and abdomen. Most patients find the sessions relaxing, and many notice improvements in their digestion and bowel regularity after just a few treatments.

Combine acupuncture with other therapies

Acupuncture is most effective when combined with other supportive therapies. Dr. Beaman may also recommend:

• Dietary changes, such as increasing fiber-rich foods and hydration
• Herbal medicine to support digestive health
• Stress management techniques like meditation or gentle yoga
• Lifestyle adjustments such as regular exercise and improved sleep

Acupuncture may be especially helpful if you have chronic constipation that hasn’t improved with standard remedies. It’s an effective treatment that allows you to avoid medications and laxatives. 

Know that constipation doesn’t have to be a daily struggle. Acupuncture offers a safe, natural, and effective option to restore balance and improve digestive health. Call Minnesota Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture at 651-964-3868, or book an appointment online today so Dr. Beaman can help you find relief from constipation or other digestive problems.