In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the concepts of acute and chronic diarrhea include acute and chronic enteritis, and gastrointestinal dysfunction in Western medicine. Acute diarrhea can be caused by exogenous pathogenic factors such as dampness, and improper diet such as eating too much, or eating too much greasy, cold, or stale foods.
Pathogenic factors of cold or dampness in the spleen can lead to its dysfunction in the transformation and transportation of foods. Overstrain can cause the malfunction of the spleen and stomach and chronic diarrhea. Mental or emotional upsets such as stress and anxiety can result in the malfunction of the liver, and the inhibition of the spleen by the liver-Qi. On the other hand, prolonged diarrhea may lead to the dysfunction of the kidney and deficiency of the kidney Yang.
To prevent diarrhea, a regular lifestyle, especially diet, is important. Do not eat too much, and do not eat too much cold foods. Improving emotional health through practicing relaxing exercises such as Qigong can also help.
Acupressure at certain acupuncture points (acupoints) can help prevent and heal diarrhea. For example, Taichong (LV 3) and Yanglinquan (GB 34) are useful points for acupressure. For diarrhea caused by cold, heating pads on the abdominal area and at acupuncture points Zhongwan (CV 12) and Tianshu (ST 25) are very helpful. More selections of acupuncture points are available here.
Acute diarrhea is classified into three types, cold-dampness, dampness-heat, and indigestion. Chronic diarrhea, which often occurs in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can have different types including the inhibition of the spleen by the liver, the deficiency of the spleen, and the deficiency of the kidney.
Detailed information and instructions on how to use acupressure, acupuncture (including ear), and moxibustion for the treatment of different types of diarrhea are available in Prevention and Healing of Diarrhea Using Acupressure and Acupuncture. Time-tested acupuncture point selections and prescriptions from ancient classics of traditional Chinese medicine, and effective treatments demonstrated by scientific studies are also provided here.
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