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Digestion

Acupuncture helps to balance the gut-brain axis and the nervous system, which reduces stress and improves digestive function. An overactive sympathetic nervous system results in decreased digestive function.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for the Treatment of Digestion

Digestion is about how well the food and drink that we put in is assimilated and processed by our body. It is the root of our energy production and if not in harmony, can be at the root of many diseases. If digestion is not operating properly, often the mind, emotions and the whole body can be off balance. In Oriental medicine, the digestive energies are our Earth element, our grounding and nourishing energy which is why it is so important to keep them working properly. When the digestion becomes weak due to illness, overeating, poor diet or stress then it can lead to conditions such as stomach or intestinal pain, irregular bowels or too much acidity.
Symptoms of an imbalance in your digestive organs may look like:
  • Poor concentration
  • Bloating or distention of the belly
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Weakness of the arms and legs (heaviness in the body, especially in the legs)
  • Dull headaches (typically across the forehead)
  • Bruising easily (even the smallest knock can bring on a bruise)
  • Dull mind (like the brain is shrouded in a fog)
Acupuncture can be used to treat chronic and physically debilitating digestive conditions, including:
  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Celiac disease
  • Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea

Research Articles

Acupuncture for gastrointestinal diseases https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35148031/
Acupuncture for emotional symptoms in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0263166
Acupuncture improves the symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammation of patients with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease: A randomized controlled trial https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(22)00030-X/fulltext