Written, recorded and demonstrated by Elizabeth Ropp, LAc.

Thanks to many of you, we put out eleven acupressure videos on our YouTube channel while we were closed last year due to the pandemic. Our acupressure for constipation video has the most views, 9,700 to be exact. That is 30 times more than any other video on our YouTube channel.

I wondered why that video was particularly popular compared to the others. I dug a little deeper and found an article by an MD cardiologist on Stat News.

“Constipation is widespread among Americans. Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their lives, with a recent survey showing that 16 percent of Americans and a third of those older than 60 suffer from chronic constipation. It’s the reason for millions of clinic visits each year and more than 700,000 emergency department trips. The number of people admitted to the hospital primarily for constipation has more than doubled since 1997. The cost of that care, along with what we spend on over-the-counter laxatives, runs into the billions of dollars.”

There is clearly a need for resources and tips to deal with chronic constipation. I made a follow-up video: Acupressure for Constipation, Part 2. Please, stay tuned for a third video.

The techniques in the latest videos come from The Self-Shiatsu Handbook by Pamela Ferguson and Chi Self-Massage by Mantack Chia. Both books are very user-friendly guides for using self shiatsu, a form of acupressure, and massage for everyday ailments.

Other recommendations we can offer for ease of constipation and indigestion are:

-Regular exercise, as you are able, especially climbing stairs and walking uphill.

-Put your feet on a step stool while you are sitting on the toilet. This will simulate a squatting position which is more natural for emptying the bowels.

-Herbal teas such as peppermint, camomile, fennel, and ginger. You can also sip on warm water with fresh lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of sea salt.

-Plenty of vegetables and whole grains, especially in the form of easy to digest soups or stews.

- Raw sauerkraut and pickles as a condiment to meals to help improve intestinal flora. You only need a forkful with each meal. You can find them at most health food stores, like A Market, Whole Foods, and the The Concord Food Co-op.

If you are experiencing opioid-induced constipation, be sure to let us know during your next acupuncture treatment. We can address constipation and chronic pain in the same treatment.

If you have more suggestions for acupressure videos that you would like to see, be sure to let us know.
You can email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or let us know during your next visit to the clinic.