Piles - a painful condition

 

ACUPUNCTURE FOR HEMORRHOIDS / PILES:

Hemorrhoids are commonly known as Piles is a common condition which, most of the people experience at least once in their life time. People feel embarrassed and shy to discuss about their condition. At the same time, suffer a lot with the symptoms. There are multiple veins in and around the anus and lower rectum. Sometimes these veins swell so that its walls become stretched, thin and irritated while passing stool or bowel movements.

There are two types of Hemorrhoids / Piles they are Internal and external hemorrhoids.

INTERNAL PILES lie inside the rectum and cannot be seen with naked eyes or felt with our hands. They usually don’t hurt but bleeding may be the only sign.

EXTERNAL PILES also lie inside the anus but protrude outside with or without bleeding. It is most painful, irritable, itchy and discomfort when compared to internal piles.

Piles are not life threatening nor dangerous, but disturbs the routine life badly. Most of the time piles get cleared in couple of weeks. But, it is always safe to meet up the doctor to understand the condition.

Causes of Piles:

1. One of the reasons to develop hemorrhoids is to inherit from parents.
2. A build up of pressure in the lower rectum can affect blood flow and make the veins swell.
3. Continuous pushing during bowel movements can cause Piles.
4. Lifting of heavy things may also cause blood vessels swell
5. Constipation is one of the reasons for developing piles.
6. Chronic diarrhea can also cause Piles.
7. Women during pregnancy are prone to develop piles due to enlarged uterus.
8. Anal intercourse can cause new hemorrhoids or worsen the existing ones.
9. Obesity can on cause piles.
10. Old age can also be the reason for Piles.

Acupressure Points: Li5, P6, St25 (bilateral) UB57 and UB60, (Give 3-5 mins of pressure to the shown points for 3 times a day)

How to prevent Piles:

Even though it is not fully preventive, a sincere effort towards preventive measures definitely benefit in avoiding piles.

1. First and foremost, use Indian style toilets regularly. The sitting posture on Indian style toilet facilitates the easy bowel movements. Applying pressure during bowel movements is one of the main reasons to develop piles, usage of Indian style toilet is a great initiative to prevent piles.
2. Drink lot of water
3. Intake of fibrous food helps in easy bowel movements.
4. Do not postpone your stool excretion. Pass the stool, when you have the urge to go. If the stools are retained in Large Intestine for longer time, then it observes the water and stool becomes hard. Hard stools are difficult to pass, it is nothing but straining our blood vessels.
5. Include lot of Fiber in daily diet.
6. Apply a drop of castor oil to anus as and when required, which can ease the bowel movement.
7. Walking, aerobics, glute exercise, Lunges and Squats are beneficial in strengthening the muscles and veins, increased blood flow, easy contraction and expansion of muscles etc.
8. Avoid coffee as it increases the heat in Large Intestine.
9. Eat lot of green leaf's.
10. Practicing the stool elimination every day can help in preventing Piles.

How can Acupuncture help to overcome Piles?

(Note: Non acupuncturist can skip this content but please use Acupressure points to avail health benefits)

Acupuncture look at hemorrhoids in a different perspective. Three main patterns involved are Spleen Qi deficiency, Intestinal dryness/wind and blood stasis.

When we talk about SPLEEN QI DEFICIENCY, it refers to entire digestive system and aspects of the circulatory system. Spleen is responsible for the proper flow of energy. Blood and all the other body fluids flow seamlessly with the help of Spleen. When the qi is blocked as a result of dampness, a number of symptoms can develop, one among them is Piles.

INTESTINAL DRYNESS refers to stage of large Intestine which plays major role in the development of Piles. If stools are present in Large Intestine for longer time, then Intestine observes the water from stool making it hard. Along with the said reason, we also should consider that the excess of heat present in the Large Intestine can also be the reason for faster absorption of water. In both the cases, resultant would be straining our rectum muscles which may lead to Piles.

As per Acupuncture theory BLOOD STASIS is slowing or pooling of the blood due to disruption of Heart Qi. A disturbance in the Fire element can result in stagnation, slowing or flare up energy. Blood stasis encourages the pooling of blood in veins around anus, this result in Piles.

When a person starts with Acupuncture treatment, we will consider body nature of the person, pathological reason for developing the piles, life style of the person, food habits, which of the above pattern does the patient exhibits etc., and start the treatment. The movement stagnations are removed and qi circulation improved, patient acknowledges the symptoms to subside.

 

Disclaimer:

       This article is an awareness initiative taken in public interest. Readers are advised not to use any information included herein to treat any health problems without knowing the actual health condition. This article is the combination of theoretical knowledge, patient’s feedback, self-experience and opinion. We recommend consulting a Doctor when in doubt or otherwise. We shall not be liable for any damages arising from the contents of this article.