Qì constipation

Constipation attributed to either qì stagnation or qì vacuity.

Qì stagnation (气滞 qì zhì): Qì stagnation constipation is constipation arising as a result of binding depression of the seven affects and is characterized by fullness in the stomach duct and abdomen, stabbing pain in the chest and rib-side, belching, and the desire but inability to defecate.

Medicinal therapy: Normalize qì and moisten the intestines using Four Milled Ingredients Decoction (四磨汤 sì mò tāng) or, in the elderly, with Tangerine Peel and Apricot Kernel Pill (橘杏丸 jú xìng wán). Constipation attributed to impaired downbearing of lung qì is treated with Perilla Seed Qì-Downbearing Decoction (苏子降气汤 sū zǐ jiàng qì tāng) plus bitter orange (Aurantii Fructus, 枳壳 zhǐ ké).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on alarm, back transport, and lower uniting points of LI, and on CV and LR. Main points: BL-25 (Large Intestine Transport, 大肠俞 dà cháng shù), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot, 天枢 tiān shū), and ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow, 上巨虚 shàng jù xū). For qì stagnation, add TB-6 (Branch Ditch, 支沟 zhī gōu), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), PC-6 (Inner Pass, 内关 nèi guān), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), LR-2 (Moving Between, 行间 xíng jiān), and needle with even supplementation and drainage. For impaired downbearing of lung qì, add BL-13 (Lung Transport, 肺俞 fèi shù), LU-9 (Great Abyss, 太渊 tài yuān), SP-3 (Supreme White, 太白 tài bái), and LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ); needle with drainage.

Qì vacuity (气虚 qì xū): Constipation due to qì vacuity is attended by lassitude of spirit, laziness to speak, pale tongue, and a weak pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Boost qì and moisten the intestines with Astragalus Decoction (黄芪汤 huáng qí tāng) or Clematis Pill (威灵仙丸 wēi líng xiān wán).

Acumoxatherapy: To the main points given above add CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), TB-6 (Branch Ditch, 支沟 zhī gōu), and CV-17 (Chest Center, 膻中 shān zhōng); needle with supplementation.