(1) Herbal therapy
The western medicine generally divided into stimulating purgative, salty purgative, dilatable purgative, lubricating purgative. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are Maren Runchang Wan, Muxiang Binglang Wan, etc. The constipation patients couldn’t take laxative abusively and should take medicines under the guidance of the doctors.
(2) Acupoints massage
It’s effective to treat constipation with massaging the abdomen, which can improve the intestinal movement. Apply clockwise palm-rubbing manipulation to the abdomen before sleep for 10 times, and apply digital pressure to Zhongwan (RN12), Xiawan (RN10), Tianshu (ST25), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) for 3 min respectively.
(3) Guasha therapy
Acupoints selection:
Head: holographic acupoints area – one third on the median of apical string of forehead, one third on the back of the apical string of the forehead.
Back: urinary bladder channel – bilateral Dachangshu (BL25)
Abdomen: stomach channel – bilateral Tianshu (ST25)
Upper limbs: tri-jiao channel – bilateral Zhigou (TE6)
Lower limbs: stomach channel – bilateral from Zusanli (ST 36) to Shangjuxu (ST 37)
Heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach: add Neiting (ST44)
Qi stagnation in the intestines: add Taichong (LR 3)
Deficiency and cold of spleen and kidney: add Shenshu (BL23) with moxibustion
Spleen qi deficiency: add Sanyinjiao (SP6) with moxibustion
(4) Cupping therapy
Acupoints selection:
Back: urinary bladder channel – bilateral Dachangshu (BL25)
Upper limbs: tri-jiao channel – bilateral Zhigou (TE6)
Abdomen: stomach channel – bilateral Tianshu (ST25)
Apply retained-cupping manipulation on the back and upper limbs, slide-cupping manipulation on the abdomen, top-to-bottom slide-cupping manipulation from the spleen channel to the stomach channel on the abdomen, staying for a while on acupoint Tianshu (ST25).
It’s not applicable for patients with spleen qi deficiency.
(5) Moxibustion
Back: urinary bladder channel – bilateral Dachangshu (BL25)
Abdomen: stomach channel – bilateral Tianshu (ST25)
Upper limbs: tri-jiao channel – bilateral Zhigou (TE6)
Lower limbs: stomach channel – bilateral Zusanli (ST 36)
Deficiency and cold of spleen and kidney: add Shenshu (BL23)
Spleen qi deficiency : add Sanyinjiao (SP6)
It’s applicable to syndromes of deficiency and cold of spleen and kidney and spleen qi deficiency.
(6) Pedicure
Reflection Areas selected: spleen, stomach, dodecadactylon, large and small intestines, anus, brain, solar plexus reflection areas. Stimulate each reflection area for 2 – 3 min, while extend the time to massage the sensitive reflection area. It’s applicable to all constipation patients.
Grind 5 – 10 g of Chinese rhubarb into powder, mix with vinegar until pasty, apply on the centre of Shangshi Zhitong Gao (Damp-removing-Painkilling Ointment), then paste on Yongquan (KI 1) on the both center of the feet, take away after 10 – 15 hour. It takes effect after one time use. It can clear heat and improve bowel movement. It’s applicable to syndrome of heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach.
