transportation so that stools cannot be moved downwards.
Apart from the nature of foods eaten, lack of fibre in food is of course a major cause of
constipation in Western industrialized countries. Lack of fibre in the diet is a modern cause of
disease not contemplated in the old classics of Chinese medicine as it would not have been a
problem in the times at which they were written. The importance of this factor has, however,
lessened considerably over the past 10 years or so as awareness about the importance of fibre in
the diet has increased tremendously.
Emotional Stress
Emotional stress affects the bowel movements mostly through the Liver and Spleen. Emotional
problems such as anger, resentment of frustration over a long period of time may cause
stagnation of Liver-Qi. Stagnant Liver-Qi obstructs the smooth flow of Qi in the Lower Burner
and leads to constipation and abdominal distension and pain. This is constipation of an Excess
nature.
Excessive mental work, too much thinking and worrying, brooding, all affect the Spleen and
slow down its transportation of food in the Intestines, leading to constipation. This is
constipation of a Deficient nature and is not accompanied by distension and pain.
Lack of Exercise
Lack of exercise is another very important cause of constipation in Western industrialized
societies. Exercise stimulates the peristalsis of the Large Intestine and, from a Chinese
perspective, lack of exercise weakens Spleen-Qi and may also cause stagnation of Liver-Qi.
Deficient Spleen-Qi over a long period of time fails to provide Qi to move the stools and
therefore may result in constipation, while stagnant Liver-Qi may cause it by failing to move Qi
in the Intestines.
Overwork and Childbirth
Excessive physical work weakens the Spleen and injures muscles. Deficient Spleen-Qi fails to
move the stools in the Large Intestine and may cause constipation. The same situation may
follow childbirth in women who have a pre-existing condition of Spleen deficiency.
Overwork in the sense of working long hours without adequate rest for many years weakens the
Kidneys. If it weakens Kidney-Yin it may cause constipation from dryness. If it weakens
Kidney-Yang, it may cause constipation by leading to internal Cold.