When it comes to natural solutions for arthritis and digestive issues, acupuncture is gaining traction for its ability to address both. This article explores the fascinating link between acupuncture for arthritis and acupuncture for constipation, focusing on the shared pathways of inflammation, detoxification, and elimination.
Is Your Liver Toxic?
The liver is a powerhouse organ responsible for detoxification, hormone regulation, and blood sugar balance. A burdened liver—common in modern diets high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed foods—leads to systemic inflammation and sluggish digestion. This often contributes to constipation.
When toxins aren't properly filtered out, they can circulate in the bloodstream, triggering immune responses and contributing to joint pain and degeneration. For many individuals seeking treatment for arthritis, especially in their knees, improving liver function is a foundational step.
Bile: A Digestive Lubricant
The gallbladder stores and releases bile, a substance essential for fat digestion and bowel movement regulation. When bile becomes thick due to poor diet, gallstones may form, slowing digestion and leading to constipation.
Consuming beets (raw or cooked) regularly helps keep bile fluid. For patients averse to eating beets, we recommend bile-supportive supplements. Addressing bile health can reduce the need for acupuncture for constipation, though both dietary and energetic support from acupuncture work synergistically.
Guanidine: The Hidden Connection
Guanidine is a toxin that accumulates in the liver due to constipation or tissue trauma. It can raise blood alkalinity, pulling calcium from the bloodstream and depositing it in the joints—an underlying factor in arthritis.
This biochemical pathway reinforces why supporting detox and elimination is vital. Many patients turn to manage back, neck & joint pain, but also benefit from improved bowel function when these internal imbalances are corrected.
What to Do?
Improving digestion and elimination is a two-pronged effort:
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Diet: Incorporate at least three servings of vegetables and 1–2 servings of fruit (especially berries) daily.
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Eliminate: Cut out sugary beverages, especially those containing fructose, which place an undue burden on the liver.
Healthy elimination (1–3 bowel movements per day) is a key indicator of proper digestive function and a critical component of long-term arthritis relief.
Foods for Constipation
Support bowel function with the BLM approach:
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Bulking agents: Psyllium husk, apples, carrots
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Lubricants: Walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, sesame oil, beets, prunes
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Movers: Papaya, cabbage, figs, asparagus
A diet rich in these foods complements the effects of acupuncture, particularly when treating sluggish elimination in arthritis patients.
Herbs for Constipation
Herbs can support and accelerate digestive healing:
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Demulcents: Marshmallow root, licorice root, chia seeds
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Laxatives (short-term use): Dandelion root, rhubarb root, Cascara sagrada
In my practice, one product I often recommend two products to my patients: Colax from MediHerb and Gastro-Fiber from Standard Process.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), constipation is often tied to liver qi stagnation or dryness in the intestines—both of which can be effectively addressed through acupuncture.
Putting it All Together
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition exacerbated by poor digestion and toxic overload. Reducing pro-inflammatory foods (like sugar and white flour) and focusing on liver and bowel health creates a foundation for relief.
For patients seeking acupuncture for arthritis, it’s essential to look beyond the joints and into the gut.
Improving elimination not only eases digestive discomfort but reduces systemic inflammation. Pairing acupuncture with anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, celery seed, and Boswellia enhances this holistic approach.
Ted Ray
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