Gastro Intestinal

Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of successfully treating dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal system.

Acupuncture, herbal and dietary therapy for gastrointestinal disorders is a safe and effective way to naturally treat many acute and chronic conditions of this important body system.

One of the most important aspects of targeting chronic disease is supporting the health and vitality of the gastrointestinal tract. A vast array of chronic diseases ranging from cardiovascular, auto-immune, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and gynecological can be rooted in the dysfunction of the digestive system.

Using acupuncture for digestive problems works by nourishing related organs, reducing inflammation of the stomach and pancreas and improving digestive functions. During a treatment, we acupuncturists will select appropriate acupuncture points on the body, typically those that modulate metabolism, gastrointestinal muscle contraction and relaxation, gastric acid secretion, and points that support small and large intestine function. This is able to restore stomach acidity to normal levels.

Acupuncture for digestive problems often integrates recommendations for diet, herbal therapy as well as lifestyle modifications in order to correct dietary imbalances and regulate digestion. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture for digestive problems as an effective treatment for digestive imbalance.

 

The causes of digestive disorders

Digestive disorders may be caused by a variety of factors, such chronic stress and other dietary issues, such as overeating, eating too many high-fat foods, eating irregular times, emotional eating and toxins in food and water sources.   Acupuncture can treat digestive imbalance by reducing stress and regulating the endocrine and nervous system hyperactivity that often accompanies digestive disorder patterns.

There are patterns of disharmony that are most often seen when patients present with digestive problems.

 

The four most common patterns seen when gastro-intestinal problems are differentiated below:


Spleen qi deficiency, which is caused by chronic fatigue or chronic illness;

Damp Heat Retention, which is caused by improper diet, environmental factors, or infections;

Disharmony of Liver and Spleen, which is caused by emotional disturbance;

Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency, which is caused by chronic illness or aging.

 

To treat these imbalances, Chinese medicine commonly uses acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion. When applied properly, these modalities balance Yin and Yang, harmonize qi (life force) and blood, nourish the organs, and eliminate Damp Heat.

 

Conditions which respond well to acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine include:

  • Gastrointestinal infections such as virus infections from rotavirus
  • Bacterial infections from salmonella, shigella or escherichia coli
  • Inflammatory diseases such as chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, chronic enteritis, and gastroenteritis
  • Peptic ulcers such as duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer
  • Circulation problems in the gastrointestinal system such as gastrointestinal tract bleeding and intestinal cramps
  • Gastrointestinal tumors such as stomach cancer, tumors of the small intestine, or colon cancer
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
  • Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and short bowel syndrome.
  • Chronic constipation or diarrhea

 

Acupuncture is a treatment that can be integrated into allopathic or holistic medical care seamlessly. Acupuncture for digestive problems is a natural health maintenance therapy that supports total well-being.