Managing Chronic Diarrhea After Cancer Treatment with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in Artesia ‘암 치료 후 만성 설사 관리’

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A patient with a history of rectal cancer (successfully treated in 2012) presented at Sam Acupuncture Clinic (알테시아 샘 한의원) with ongoing digestive issues that significantly affected daily life. Despite being cancer-free, the patient continued to experience frequent diarrhea, requiring the use of Loperamide multiple times per day to manage symptoms.

Additional symptoms included dry mouth, nausea, and poor sleep due to frequent nighttime urination associated with prostate enlargement. These lingering issues often arise when the body’s internal regulation remains weakened long after the primary medical treatment is completed.

From a Traditional East Asian Medicine perspective, this condition was identified by our acupuncturist (한의사) as a pattern involving deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, along with a significant imbalance in digestive regulation. This deficiency makes it difficult for the body to absorb moisture and maintain normal bowel movements.

Treatment at our Artesia clinic focused on strengthening the digestive system and restoring functional balance. We aimed not just to stop the diarrhea, but to rebuild the patient’s underlying constitution to support long-term stability.

Acupuncture was applied to support the Stomach, Large Intestine, and Gallbladder systems. These specific points were chosen to improve the regulation of bowel movements, reduce urgency, and calm the overactive digestive tract.

In addition, a customized herbal formula was prescribed based on Palmul-tang (Ba Zhen Tang), modified with herbs such as Coix seed (Yi Yi Ren) and Dioscorea (Shan Yao). These additions are known to help “drain dampness” and strengthen the intestines, helping to regulate and stabilize bowel function.

In this specific case, after the fourth visit, the patient reported approximately 70% improvement in bowel control, along with a noticeable reduction in reliance on medication. This allowed for a significant improvement in the patient’s overall quality of life and comfort.

This case highlights how acupuncture and herbal medicine can play a critical supportive role in managing long-term digestive symptoms following major medical treatments. At Sam Acupuncture Clinic (알테시아 샘 한의원), we focus on restoring what has been weakened, helping you return to a normal, healthy life.

Disclaimer: Individual results may vary, and this case does not guarantee similar outcomes.