constipation and the Role of the Lungs
Bowel habits are often considered something not to be discussed in polite company; however, our bowels are an important indicator of overall health. And something you probably have not heard is that the LUNGS play a really important role.
Patient Story
I once was working with a patient that had had GI problems since she was 8 years old, & when I asked her if anything significant had happened around that time in her life, she said no, & then she said remembered that her parents had divorced at that time. And then her eyes got wide—the look of surprise! She had never associated the two things before, especially because it had been that way for so long.
Let’s explore what’s going on here:
what chinese medicine says about the lungs
In Chinese Medicine, the lungs’ physical job is more than breathing; they are also responsible for sending energy down in the body to the other organs. The lungs other job is also bonding with people. And this is often the root cause in people with constipation. There has been some disruption in bonding, which can be
a traumatic birth
a change in family structure
a move
loss of a job
a death
The lungs also have a partner, which is the large intestine. When the lungs have been negatively affected by an experience, whether physical or psychological, they can’t support their partner, which often results in constipation but sometimes also diarrhea—or a mixture of the two issues.
the solution for consipation
In my practice, I find that a lot of my patients benefit from a type of treatment called the eight extraordinary channel treatment. These are the deepest types of channels (think of it like an operating system) and are usually affected in our early years of life. We can figure out which channel is best for you by using dynamic pulse taking and/or a conversation that explores your life experiences. Often, people will say something right away in conversation that’s a very clear indicator of what they need.
When we treat the channel that was affected, this takes the pressure off of the lungs, so that they can do their jobs again—sending energy down to support the large intestine, so that it can release the stools in a healthy way.
Hydration
This doesn’t just mean water! It’s warm, wet food—soups, stews, whole grains, oils, & fats, including saturated fats, and food cooked in water or broth.
All fats are important for supporting a resource we call “thick fluids”, which then supports a resource called “thin fluids”. Having enough thick and thin fluids helps us avoid problems with hormones and dry eyes, mouth, skin, etc. In Chinese Medicine, we say that fats provide moisture, which can also help with bowel movements.
If you’re looking for help with digestive issues, I offer free discovery calls to discuss how I can help. You can book these calls on my website.
