Constipation is a condition in which the stool is hard to pass, there is a delay in bowel movements, or there is difficulty in passing stool.
Etiology and Pathogenesis
1. Heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach
Excessive heat in the body, overconsumption of spicy and heavy foods, lingering heat after a fever, leading to dryness and heat in the intestines and stomach, depletion of body fluids, resulting in dryness and lack of lubrication in the large intestine, leading to constipation.
2. Stagnation of Qi movement
Introverted personality (easily angered, sedentary), stagnant Qi movement, dysfunction of the large intestine, resulting in constipation.
3. Deficiency of Qi and Blood
4. Yin cold stagnation
Deficiency of Yang Qi in the body, excessive use of bitter and cold substances, lack of nourishment after a serious or prolonged illness, resulting in deficiency of Yang Qi and internal cold, leading to stagnation of cold in the intestines and stomach, and weakness in the movement of the large intestine, resulting in constipation.
Clinical Manifestations
1. Heat constipation
Dry and hard stools, flushed face, body heat, dry and foul mouth; red and dry lips, short and red urine, abdominal distention and pain, reduced appetite, red and dry tongue with yellow coating, slippery and rapid pulse, purple fingerprints.
2. Qi constipation
This type is common in older children. Constipation with hard stools, desire to defecate but unable to, belching, fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, abdominal distention and pain, reduced appetite, crying and irritability, thin and greasy tongue coating, string-like pulse, stagnant fingerprints.
3. Qi deficiency constipation
The stools are not dry and hard, there is a desire to defecate, but it is difficult to pass, sweating, shortness of breath, pale complexion, thin and weak body, fatigue and weakness, laziness and lack of movement, loss of appetite, evening abdominal distention, likes abdominal pressure, sleepy, eyes open during sleep, pale tongue with thin coating, weak and powerless pulse, pale fingerprints.
4. Yin deficiency constipation
Constipation with hard stools, dull complexion, sparse hair, dry and yellowish skin, thin body, afternoon hot flashes, flushed cheeks with night sweats, restlessness, dry lips, frequent dreams and restless sleep, red tongue with little coating or peeled coating, thin pulse, pale purple fingerprints.
5. Yang deficiency constipation
Hard and difficult to pass stools, pale complexion, cold limbs, prefers warmth and dislikes cold, lack of spirit, cold pain in the abdomen, prolapse of the anus may be observed, pale tongue with white coating, slow and deep pulse, pale red fingerprints.
Chinese Massage Treatment
1. Treatment principles: Harmonize the organs, nourish the spleen, and moisturize the intestines for smooth bowel movements.
2. Massage techniques: Stimulate the Spleen meridian, perform internal Bagua rotation, clear the Large Intestine meridian, rub the abdomen, hold the abdominal corners, rub the Tian Shu point, push down the seven lumbar vertebrae, and rub the Tailbone point.
3. Prescription rationale: Stimulate the Spleen meridian, clear the Large Intestine meridian, rub the abdomen, perform internal Bagua rotation - strengthen the spleen, regulate Qi, moisturize the intestines for smooth bowel movements. Hold the abdominal corners, rub the Tian Shu point - regulate the organs, widen the intestines, promote Qi movement. Push down the seven lumbar vertebrae, rub the Tailbone point - regulate the organs, relieve stagnation, promote bowel movements.
4. Modified treatment
(1) Heat constipation: add treatment for the six fu organs, rub and knead along the meridians, stimulate the Spleen meridian with regulating techniques to clear and purge the excessive heat in the organs, and cleanse the accumulated stagnation in the intestines.
(2) Qi constipation: add treatment for the Liver meridian, rub and knead along the meridians, stimulate the Spleen meridian with regulating techniques to regulate Qi and relieve stagnation, and promote bowel movements by regulating the middle burner.
(3) Qi deficiency constipation: add treatment for the three gates, knead and rub the Zusanli point, pinch the spine, stimulate the Spleen meridian with tonifying techniques to strengthen the spleen, supplement Qi, and promote bowel movements by assisting Qi movement.
(4) Yin deficiency constipation: add rubbing the Er Ren Shang Ma points, tonify the Kidney meridian, perform the Water Bottom scoop Bright Moon technique, stimulate the Spleen meridian with tonifying techniques to nourish Yin and blood, moisturize the intestines for smooth bowel movements.
(5) Yang deficiency constipation: add treatment for the three gates, rub the Wai Lao Gong point, rub the navel, perform the rubbing Guan Yuan technique, stimulate the Spleen meridian with tonifying techniques to warm Yang, disperse cold, regulate the middle burner, and promote bowel movements.
