Constipation & diarrhea

Bowel irregularity is a symptom, not a diagnosis. TCM differentiates constipation into heat, dryness, Qi stagnation, and cold/deficiency types; diarrhea into damp-heat, food stagnation, and Spleen deficiency types. Getting the pattern right dictates whether we cool, moisten, warm, or tonify — very different treatments.

Weekly acupuncture combined with a custom herbal formula for the identified pattern typically shifts bowel rhythm within 3–4 weeks. Fiber, water intake, and eating pace are discussed. For chronic patterns we look upstream at stress and sleep as well.