Treating Hemorrhoids With Acupuncture

There are some health conditions that are more embarrassing to talk about than others. We live in a society that is still somewhat private about the subject of our “downstairs parts”. The stigma of discussing issues relating to the health of our privates causes many people to suffer silently. One of those taboo health topics is hemorrhoids, which can be quite painful and is more common than people like to acknowledge. While hemorrhoids are uncomfortable (in more ways than one), they are very treatable. Today, we’re putting the spotlight on this subject to talk about what hemorrhoids are and how they can be treated. 

Hemorrhoids (sometimes called piles) are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. They are similar to varicose veins, although they have more symptoms. There are several types of hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids form on the insides of the rectum, can rarely be seen or felt, and tend not to cause discomfort. However, they can cause painless bleeding when passing stool, and they may become prolapsed or protruding. 

External hemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus. This type has more symptoms of pain and discomfort, as well as being visible. They cause itching or irritation; pain or discomfort, especially when sitting and passing stool; swelling around the anus; and bleeding. 

Thrombosed hemorrhoids occur when a blood clot forms in an external hemorrhoid. These can cause severe pain; swelling; inflammation; and a hard, discolored lump near the anus.  

Causes 

Fortunately, hemorrhoids are not genetic. There are certain activities and lifestyle factors that make hemorrhoids more likely to develop. Those things include the following: 

• Straining during bowl movements 
• Sitting for long periods, especially on the toilet 
• Having chronic diarrhea or constipation 
• Pregnancy 
• Obesity 
• Eating a low-fibre diet 
• Having anal intercourse 
• Regularly lifting heavy things 

The risk of hemorrhoids developing increases as you age. 

Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses very thin needles inserted into your skin to stimulate and regulate the flow of your vital energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”). Imbalance and stagnation of Qi manifest in the physical symptoms of illness, disease, and other physical ailments. These dysregulations of energy can be treated through applied stimulation of acupoints along natural pathways in your body called meridians. 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hemorrhoids are caused by too much heat and damp accumulating in the rectal region. This causes the blood vessels to swell up. Heat and damp are two types of invading pathogens that can cause all sorts of symptoms. One way they can be introduced is through exposure to hot, humid weather for extended periods of time. 

Acupuncture is designed to expel invasive pathogens from your body that may be interfering with your natural healing processes. As its aim is to improve the circulation of Qi and blood, acupuncture can help reduce the swelling in the effected blood vessels. Additionally, acupuncture greatly reduces inflammation, which will make sitting and going to the bathroom afterwards more comfortable. 

Hemorrhoids are relatively easy to treat and many of the things that help relieve them also work well to prevent future hemorrhoids from developing. The biggest thing you can do is to make sure you are getting enough dietary fibre. Vegetables, leafy greens, and whole grains are good sources. If you find that isn’t helping enough, you can also try a fibre supplement. An important thing to note is that you will need to drink more water as you increase your fibre intact, particularly if you are taking supplements, as too much fibre will harden your stool and potentially worsen your hemorrhoids. 

The other thing is you want to avoid putting pressure on the veins in the anal and rectal regions. This means you want to avoid straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods of time (especially on the toilet), and lifting heavy objects. Staying active and ensuring you are moving around throughout your day will reduce pressure on those veins, as well as helping to prevent constipation as movement aids in moving food through your intestines. 

There is no shame in having hemorrhoids. They can happen to anyone. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Book your acupuncture appointment today to start feeling better.