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Haemorrhoids

haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels and surrounding tissue in or around the anus. They are common and can cause problems such as loss of blood during bowel movements, itching, irritation, swelling or pain. Sometimes internal haemorrhoids fall out during stools.

A distinction is made between internal and external haemorrhoids . Internal haemorrhoids are located in the anal canal and may decrease with increasing severity. External haemorrhoids are located around the anus and can become particularly painful when irritation or a blood clot occurs.

Within Chinese medicine, not only the hemorrhoid itself, but also factors that can promote its onset or return, such as constipation, a lot of pressing, prolonged diarrhoea or a weakened digestion. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are then tailored to the overall grievance and underlying TCM pattern.

Common symptoms

haemorrhoids can give little symptoms for a long time. Possible symptoms are:

In case of persistent or recurrent blood loss it is wise to have this assessed by the GP. Blood loss from the anus can also have other causes.

Possible causes

haemorrhoids occur when the pressure on the blood vessels and the supporting tissue around the anus and rectum increases repeatedly or for a long time. Constipation and many presses are important factors. Hard stools not only increase the pressure, but can also irritate the area.

Long-term diarrhoea can also contribute. Other factors include pregnancy and childbirth, overweight, prolonged sitting or standing and regular abdominal pressure activity such as heavy lifting or chronic coughing.

Nutrition plays a particularly indirect role. Too little fiber and moisture can promote constipation. Therefore, for good recovery it is often important to pay attention not only to the haemorrhoids but also to any problems with stool.

How can acupuncture help with haemorrhoids?

Acupuncture looks at the nature of the haemorrhoids and at factors that cause or sustain the symptoms. For example, a red, swollen and burning hemorrhoid requires a different approach than a hemorrhoid that hurts little but always goes out.

Depending on the picture of complaints, treatment may be directed at:

Treatment does not have to use only points around the anus. Many acupuncture points chosen for haemorrhoids are located on the legs, arms, abdomen and back.

How can Chinese herbal medicine help with haemorrhoids?

Chinese herbs are also chosen based on the underlying pattern. This includes blood loss, pain, swelling, sagging and the shape and frequency of the stool.

Herbal treatment may be directed at:

Acupuncture and herbs can be used separately, but can also complement each other. Herbs can provide daily between treatments by supporting them.

How does Chinese medicine view haemorrhoids?

Within Chinese medicine, haemorrhoids are mainly concerned with the Large Intestin and Spleen organ system and the flow of Qi and Blood.

The Large Intestine is involved in the formation and excretion of the stool within TCM. If the stool is dry and hard for a long time, a lot of presses may be needed. Long-term diarrhoea can affect the area over and over again.

The Spleen organ system has a function within TCM in supporting and keeping tissues in place. If this function weakens, the Qi can't keep up enough. This is called sinking Spleen-Qi and can be expressed in haemorrhoids in easily sinking the tissue.

Other patterns are characterized by Dampness Heat, where swelling, burning and irritation are more prominent, or by stagnation of Qi and Blood, where the haemorrhoids can be longer and more painful.

What is a TCM organ system?

A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .

What is a TCM pattern?

A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .

Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.

Most common TCM patterns

Intestinal-Wind

Intestinal-Wind is a pattern that is mainly used within TCM in relatively mild or novice haemorrhoids where blood loss is at the forefront. There is often little pain and the haemorrhoids are usually not swollen or decelerated.

Common symptoms: clear red blood during or after stools, blood on toilet paper or stool, little or no pain and little swelling.

This pattern is particularly common: novice internal haemorrhoids where blood loss is the most important complaint.

Intestinal-Dryness

With Intestinal-Dryness, the stool is not sufficiently moist and therefore harder and harder to separate. The repeated pressing increases the pressure around the rectum and can promote the development or return of haemorrhoids.

Common symptoms: dry or hard stools, constipation, pressing during bowel movements, a feeling of incomplete stools and sometimes bright red blood or pain during stool. There may also be other signs of Dryness such as dry mouth or skin.

This pattern is particularly common: haemorrhoids associated with chronic constipation and hard, dry stools.

Dampness-Heat in the Dikke Intestinal

In this pattern the haemorrhoids are usually clearly irritated, swollen and painful. Within TCM this is linked to a combination of Heat and Dampness in the lower part of the intestine. Heat is mainly related to redness, burning and blood loss, while Dampness is more related to swelling, irritation and a heavy or oppressive feeling.

Common symptoms: red and swollen haemorrhoids, burning, pain or itching around the anus, irritation and bright red to dark red blood loss. The stool may be difficult but may also be soft or loose.

This pattern is particularly common with red, swollen, irritated or painful haemorrhoids.

Spleen-Qi-deficiency and sinking Spleen-Qi

Within TCM, the Spleen-Qi helps, among other things, to keep tissues in place. If this function weakens, haemorrhoids can more easily sink out. This pattern is seen especially with prolonged or recurring complaints and may be associated with a generally weaker digestion.

Common symptoms: haemorrhoids that easily come out during bowel movements, prolonged standing or exercise, recurrent blood loss, fatigue, low appetite, bloating and soft or loose stools.

This pattern is particularly common: prolonged or sagging haemorrhoids, especially if signs of a weak digestion are present.

Yin-deficiency with Intestinal-Dryness

Yin stands within TCM for, among other things, the nourishing and moistening aspects of the body. If these are insufficiently present, the intestine can become drier and chronic constipation can occur. This can promote the emergence or return of haemorrhoids.

Common symptoms: recurrent haemorrhoids, dry and hard stools, constipation, dry mouth or throat and sometimes a warm or irritated feeling around the anus. Other signs of Yin deficiency such as night sweats or warmth may also occur.

This pattern is particularly common: chronic haemorrhoids associated with long-term Dryness and constipation, for example more often at a later age.

Qi-stagnation and Blood stasis

If the local circulation is obstructed for a long time, according to TCM, Blood stasis can occur in addition to stagnation of Qi. The symptoms are usually more painful and the haemorrhoids can get darker or harder.

Common symptoms: prolonged or clearly painful haemorrhoids, local swelling and tension, dark red or purple discoloration and sometimes a hard, very sensitive hemorrhoid. Blood loss may be darker.

This pattern is particularly common with chronic, painful or thrombosed haemorrhoids.

A sudden onset of very painful swelling around the anus may result in a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Medical assessment may then be useful.

What can you do for yourself?

Regular bowel movements that are easy to pass help reduce pressure on haemorrhoids. Drinking enough and getting sufficient fibre from vegetables, fruit, pulses and wholegrain foods can help. Increase fibre gradually if you are not used to it.

Try to push for a long time and avoid sitting on the toilet for unnecessary lengths. Regular movement can also help to support bowel function.

For irritated haemorrhoids, cleaning with lukewarm water can be more pleasant than sweeping frequently. If constipation or long-term diarrhoea plays an important role, it is also useful to address these symptoms. See the pages Constipation and Diarrhoea .

When to contact your doctor?

Blood loss from the anus is often caused by haemorrhoids, but can also have a different cause. Therefore, let new, persistent or recurrent rectal blood loss assess, especially if it has not been established earlier that haemorrhoids are the cause.

Please also contact your GP if you have a lot of blood loss, black or tar-like stools, changes in stool pattern that persist, unexplained weight loss, fever or severe or increasing pain.

Outlook

The course of treatment depends, among other things, on the severity and duration of the haemorrhoids, the underlying TCM pattern and factors such as constipation, diarrhoea and many presses. Recently-emergent and relatively mild symptoms can generally change faster than large, long-term haemorrhoids.

In the initial phase, one acupuncture treatment per week is a usual guideline. In case of acute or severe complaints can be treated temporarily two or three times a week. When complaints become more stable, the frequency can be reduced. Chinese herbs can be used daily between treatments when appropriate. The duration and frequency always depend on the individual situation.

In case of large or permanently weakened haemorrhoids, severe thrombosis, significant blood loss or symptoms that do not improve sufficiently, regular medical treatment may be necessary.

Contact

Do you have haemorrhoids on a regular basis and want to know if acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit in with your symptoms? During a first consultation we discuss your complaints, digestion, bowel movements and other relevant symptoms. Based on the overall picture of complaints, we will examine which TCM pattern is likely to be at the forefront and what treatment is appropriate.

Further reading

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