Digestion is an incredibly complex task the body performs on a daily basis. For as many foods there are, there are equally as many effects they can have on the body. So much so that nearly 70 million people in the US along are effected by a digestive disorder of some kind or another.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a proven and effective way people can treat digestive disorders. TCM is an ancient modality for treating digestive issues and one of the tools within TCM, acupuncture, is an ideal way to do so.
As an acupuncturist, I can help with digestion because I treat the body holistically meaning that all body systems are taken into consideration. Not just the stomach or intestinal tract on its own. We acupuncturists don’t compartmentalize the body. Just as it has been proven in Western medicine that the gut and brain are connected. I treat everything as one cohesive unit. Since the mind and the body are connected often psychological issues effect the gut and vice versa.
Countless studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates peristalsis- the actual movement of the intestinal tract. Ideal for people with chronic constipation, often in as few a two treatments patients often find relief.
Nausea and vomiting are another frequent complaint I see in my practice. Even acupressure can be helpful to calm an upset stomach. One point, located on the underside of the wrist/forearm has been studied widely for this function. Often the nausea and vomiting are decreased or even stopped altogether.
Bloating is also very common. It can be caused by overeating or, on a more chronic level, by improper digestion. Acupuncture treatments help the body to break down foods without the gas that is often the cause of excess bloating.
Diarrhea can be due to more than a stomach virus or bad food. It is actually much more common than most people realize. Treatments can help to alleviate diarrhea be clearing the excess liquid from the digestive tract and calming gut motility.
If you or someone you know deals with frequent digestive issues by all means reach out to me!