Do I need to stop laxatives?

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

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]

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

Community

Articles on acupuncture, Chinese medicine and everyday wellbeing, arranged by topic, with the studies behind them.

Irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and digestive discomfort: what the research shows and why a diagnosis comes first.

Acupuncture for Chronic Constipation: What the Research Shows
Research summary · October 24, 2026
Research on acupuncture and Chinese herbs for constipation, usual medical treatments and laxative concerns, and how we tailor treatment and Chinese medicine food guidance at Fingertips.
Acupuncture for IBS: Calming Pain, Bloating and Unpredictable Bowels
Research summary · October 24, 2026
What newer trials say about acupuncture for IBS, how Chinese medicine understands the patterns behind digestive symptoms, and how I plan and review your care at Fingertips.