Acupuncture for Chronic Constipation: What the Research Shows

The short answer

Acupuncture can help some people with chronic functional constipation, with the strongest large-trial evidence for electroacupuncture.^[1][2] My aim is comfortable bowel movements and less of your day spent worrying about them.

What does the research show?

In a 1,075-person trial, eight weeks of electroacupuncture produced about one additional complete spontaneous bowel movement weekly beyond sham: without rescue laxatives, with a feeling of complete emptying.^[1]

About 31% averaged at least three weekly, versus 12% with sham. Benefits persisted through 12 weeks of follow-up. Treatment-related side effects were infrequent and mild or temporary.^[1]

A 2026 overview of 15 reviews found improvements over sham, but mostly low-certainty evidence and substantial methodological weaknesses.^[2]

Manual acupuncture has smaller studies, including a 30-person pilot.^[3] The electroacupuncture results cannot be assumed for manual treatment.

Why does constipation happen?

Slow stool movement, pelvic floor problems, medicines such as opioids or iron, and hypothyroidism can contribute.^[4]

Persistent difficulty emptying may need pelvic floor testing and biofeedback therapy.^[5]

What might your MD offer?

After reviewing your symptoms, medicines and diet, your MD may recommend changes to daily habits and:^[19]

• Psyllium: Fiber that holds water and helps form softer stool.
• Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) or lactulose: Draw water into stool.
• Bisacodyl or senna: Stimulate bowel movement; bisacodyl is commonly used short term or as rescue treatment.
• Prescription options: Linaclotide, plecanatide or lubiprostone increase intestinal fluid; prucalopride helps bowel movement.

Can laxatives cause dependency or worsen constipation?

Needing ongoing treatment can reflect the underlying condition.^[5] PEG has guideline support for ongoing treatment; needing it does not by itself mean dependency.^[19] A 2026 observational study found more dependence-related symptoms among regular stimulant users, but could not establish that the medicines caused dependence or worsening constipation.^[21]

A 2024 review found no convincing evidence of colon damage with recommended stimulant use.^[20] Long-term data remain limited; overuse can cause diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte problems. Increasing doses or frequent rescue use need medical review.^[19][20]

How Chinese medicine understands constipation

Chinese medicine considers the Large Intestine’s passage of stool, the Spleen’s handling of food and fluids, the Liver’s regulation of Qi, and Kidney Yang’s warming role.^[6][7][13] Patterns guide treatment:

• Heat and dryness: Hard stool with thirst; clear Heat and moisten.
• Qi stagnation: Bloating and stress-related difficulty; regulate Qi.
• Qi deficiency: Straining despite possibly soft stool, with fatigue; support Qi.
• Blood or Yin deficiency: Dryness with insufficient nourishment or fluids; nourish and moisten.
• Spleen–Kidney Yang deficiency: Difficult evacuation with coldness and weakness; warm and support.^[6][7]

These traditional patterns can overlap; they do not diagnose disease in those organs.

Which acupuncture points are used?

The trial used abdominal Tianshu (ST25, 天樞) and Fujie (SP14, 腹結), and lower-leg Shangjuxu (ST37, 上巨虛).^[8] I tailor points to your assessment.

Animal research suggests effects on intestinal nerve signaling and movement.^[9] It does not establish the same mechanism in people receiving manual acupuncture.

Can Chinese herbs help?

In a 291-person trial of Ma Zi Ren Wan (麻子仁丸), 68% gained at least one additional complete spontaneous bowel movement weekly after eight weeks, versus 33% with placebo. It was not clearly superior to senna.^[10] This measured improvement, not normalization, and does not validate every product or customized prescription.

Traditionally, it moistens, clears Heat and moves Qi. It includes Huo Ma Ren and purgative Da Huang (rhubarb); it does not suit every dry-stool pattern.^[11]

Zeng Ye Tang (增液湯) traditionally addresses fluid-depleted dryness; Ji Chuan Jian (濟川煎) addresses Kidney deficiency with Cold.^[12][13] Their evidence differs from that trial.

I customize prescriptions and use my drug–herb interaction checklist. Herbs can also cause side effects, including abdominal pain or diarrhea. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and combining herbs with laxatives require professional review.^[14][15]

Your care at Fingertips

I use 四診八綱—the Four Examinations and Eight Principles, including observation, listening and smelling, questions, and palpation.

Stool, digestion, energy, temperature preferences, tongue and pulse guide care. My lineage emphasizes manual needle manipulation, continuously observing and adjusting to your response.

For longstanding symptoms, we may start once or twice weekly and review after several weeks. No ideal schedule is established; the trial used 28 treatments over eight weeks.^[1]

We track frequency, stool consistency, time straining, incomplete emptying and rescue-laxative use, with clear goals and review points.

Food guidance matched to your pattern

I also help you choose foods through a Chinese medicine assessment. Examples include:

• Heat-dryness: Pear or cooked leafy vegetables, traditionally chosen to moisten.
• Yin-related dryness: Small amounts of ground black sesame or walnuts.
• Spleen Qi weakness: Cooked Chinese yam (Shan Yao) or sweet potato in porridge.^[22]

For someone uncomfortable with cold meals, we may favor warm, cooked preparations. These are traditional food-therapy choices, with portions adjusted to allergies and tolerance. Fiber and fluids still matter.^[16][22]

Supporting your progress safely

Movement and an unhurried toilet routine can help.^[16] Review persistent or changed symptoms, bleeding or unexplained weight loss with your MD. Severe or constant abdominal pain, vomiting or inability to pass gas need urgent assessment, especially with swelling.^[4]

Common questions

Do I need to stop laxatives?+

No. Continue your clinician’s plan; review changes and herbal combinations together.

Is acupuncture safe?+

Minor bleeding or bruising can occur. Qualified practice and sterile, single-use needles reduce risks.^[15][17]

Is constipation with IBS different?+

IBS also involves recurring abdominal pain. Read our IBS article.^[18]

Do I need a bowel movement every day?+

Not necessarily. Normal frequency varies; comfortable passage and complete emptying matter too.^[5]

Bring your medication list and bowel diary to discuss your options. Explore our digestive health care.

References

1. Liu, Z., Yan, S., Wu, J., et al. (2016). Acupuncture for chronic severe functional constipation: A randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 165(11), 761–769. https://doi.org/10.7326/M15-3118
2. Ren, C., Yang, G., Wu, M., et al. (2026). Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for functional constipation: An updated overview of systematic reviews. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences. Published online September 21, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcms.2026.09.003
3. Lee, H.-Y., Kwon, O.-J., Kim, J.-E., et al. (2018). Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for functional constipation: A randomised, sham-controlled pilot trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18, 186. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2243-4
4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & Causes of Constipation. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/symptoms-causes
5. American Gastroenterological Association. (2026). Constipation: Refractory. Patient guidance on evaluation, pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment. https://patient.gastro.org/constipation-refractory/
6. Hong Kong Baptist University, Jockey Club Chinese Medicine Disease Prevention and Health Management Centre. 常見的腸胃疾病—便秘 [Common gastrointestinal conditions: Constipation]. Traditional pattern classification. https://embracehealth.hkbu.edu.hk/html/eclassroom_book_detail.php?bookid=13&id=718&sectionid=77
7. Ling, J.-H., Department of Gastroenterology, Shuguang Hospital affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. (2025). 有些便秘需要“補” [Some constipation patterns call for tonification]. 香港保健協會. Traditional theory and deficiency patterns. https://www.healthcarehk.org/2025/12/有些便秘需要-補/
8. Liu, Z., Liu, J., Zhao, Y., et al. (2013). The efficacy and safety study of electro-acupuncture for severe chronic functional constipation: Study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Trials, 14, 176. Used here to verify the point prescription, not as evidence of treatment results. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-14-176
9. Liang, C., Wang, K.-Y., Gong, M.-R., Li, Q., Yu, Z., & Xu, B. (2018). Electro-acupuncture at ST37 and ST25 induce different effects on colonic motility via the enteric nervous system by affecting excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 30(7), e13318. Animal study. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.13318
10. Zhong, L. L. D., Cheng, C. W., Kun, W., et al. (2019). Efficacy of MaZiRenWan, a Chinese herbal medicine, in patients with functional constipation in a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 17(7), 1303–1310.e18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2018.04.005
11. Cardinal Tien Hospital. 麻子仁丸 [Ma Zi Ren Wan]: Ingredients, traditional functions and precautions. https://www.cth.org.tw/?aid=611&iid=260&page_name=detail&pid=0
12. Hong Kong Baptist University Library, Chinese Medicine Formula Images Database. 增液湯 [Zeng Ye Tang]. Traditional functions and indications. https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/cmed/cmfid/detail.php?id=F00141
13. China Medical University, Chinese Medicine Information Platform. 濟川煎 [Ji Chuan Jian]. Classical source, composition and traditional indications. https://spbcm.cmu.edu.tw/ccmp/d/d1204.htm
14. Tsumura. 麻子仁丸料提取物顆粒 [Ma Zi Ren Wan extract granules]: Chinese-language product leaflet. Product-specific adverse effects, laxative-combination and pregnancy/breastfeeding precautions; not a dosing guide for other preparations. https://www.tsumura.co.jp/products/qr_lp/images/pdf/chinese_b/126_otc.pdf
15. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Safety and coordinated-care guidance. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know
16. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment for Constipation. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/treatment
17. NHS 111 Wales. Acupuncture. Needle safety and possible side effects. https://111.wales.nhs.uk/Encyclopaedia/a/article/acupuncture
18. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & Facts for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/definition-facts
19. Chang, L., Chey, W. D., Imdad, A., et al. (2023). American Gastroenterological Association–American College of Gastroenterology clinical practice guideline: Pharmacological management of chronic idiopathic constipation. Gastroenterology, 164(7), 1086–1106. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10542656/
20. Whorwell, P., Lange, R., & Scarpignato, C. (2024). Review article: Do stimulant laxatives damage the gut? A critical analysis of current knowledge. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, 17, 17562848241249664. https://doi.org/10.1177/17562848241249664
21. Ishihara, Y., Ihara, E., Esaki, M., et al. (2026). Dependence-related screening positivity among regular stimulant-laxative users with chronic constipation: A multicenter prospective observational study. Journal of Gastroenterology, 61, 1123–1134. Association study; does not establish that stimulant laxatives cause dependence or worsening constipation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-026-02455-9
22. Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Anorectal Diseases. (2024). 便秘的饮食指导 [Dietary guidance for constipation]. Used for traditional pattern-based food choices, not as evidence that these foods cure constipation. https://www.szzygcyy.cn/kyxs/ljh/kptd/content/post_1204909.html