Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners may also use acupuncture for the treatment of diarrhea. Acupuncture involves the insertion of long, thin needles into various parts of the body to relieve the symptoms of a medical disorder. The precise location at which needles are inserted for the treatment of diarrhea depends on the type of diarrhea diagnosed. By adjusting the flow of qi, yin and yang along various meridians, organs that may be responsible for the patient’s symptoms are brought into balance and made to function normally.

Typical acupuncture points used in the treatment diarrhea include:
Zusanli (St 36) – this point strengthens digestion and help the generation of Qi (vital energy) and Blood in the body. It is used to harmonize the stomach and is the command point of the abdomen, alleviating any disharmony in this area.

Tianshu (ST25)  – this point is primarily used to treat disorders of the intestines and to regulate the flow of energy through the lower abdomen. It is often used in the treatment of diarrhea due to its influence of the Large Intestine. The point is frequently used in cases of diarrhea caused by bacillary dysentery.

Zhong Wan – Ren 12 (Rn-12) – this point is commonly used to regulate the stomach and intestines, especially in cases of diarrhea with undigested food or diarrhea with blood and pus. Due to the regulating effect of this point, it can also be used in cases of stagnation within the intestines, leading to constipation.

A variety of point combinations may be selected by the acupuncturist when treating diarrhea based upon the patient’s specific presentation of signs and symptoms. In acute cases of diarrhea, it is common to use both acupuncture and herbal medicine together to quickly resolve the condition.

Massage and acupressure can also be used to treat diarrhea. By manipulating various parts of the body, a practitioner may be able to stimulate and adjust the flow of body forces to remove the causes for diarrhea. These treatments are generally used in addition to acupuncture and herbal medicine to control cases of diarrhea.