How does Acupuncture asssit Digestion
Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine can be useful in common digestive complaints such as;
- Bloating
- Heartburn & reflux
- Pain & discomfort
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Hemorrohoids
Acupuncture has a direct effect on the digestive system via the nervous system. Acupuncture can encourage the release od digestive enzymes, increase blood flow to the gut and support peristasis (the wave like muscle contractions that move food through the intestines). Specific placement of needles can assist the following;
- Neurovascular modulation – Increased blood flow to various organs of the digestion through vascodilation
- Inflammation reduction – Reduces inflammation through adosine release
- Immunomodulation – Regulates the immune system through the release of immunomodulatory factors
- Connective tissue stimulation – Stimulates connective tissue, which triggers a cascade of biochemical, and mechanical responses that influence the bodies healing and pain perception
- Autonomic nervous stystem modulation – Acupunture impacts the autonomic nervous sytem, which controls the involuntory body functions like heart rate, digetion and stress responses. By affecting this sytem in particular Acupuncture can asssit various physiological prcoesses within the digesitve system that are automatic.
From a traditional model Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine target the following during treatment;
- Spleen, Pancreas & Stomach – In traditional Chinese Medicine, the Spleen / Pancreas is closely linked to the digestion, and Acupuncture points that stimulate the Spleen / Pancreas help stimulation enzymes, aiding nutrient absorption and overall digestive flow.
- Liver – The traditonal Liver organ is closely linked with stress and emotional health, if the emotions are blocked up the Liver becomes stagnant leading to digestive discomfort (e.g IBS) and distress. Acupuncture aimed at the Liver is to clear the stress response thus reducing the digestive distress.
- Intestinal Health – Acupuncture points can also be used to stimulate bowel movements, and address conditons such as constipation or diarrhoea by influencing the intestines.
Common digestive complaints that Acupuncture is known to assist
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Acupuncture and electro-Acupuncture can help with IBS. In fact, a recent study conculded “Electro-acupuncture is equivalent to loperamide (imodium) for reducing stool frequency in IBS-D and FD” (2). IBS-D is the subtype of IBS that commonly involves diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, and pain,. Thne term FD is funcitonal diarrhoea. According to a recent meta-analysis of acupuncture research, “acupuncture exhibits strategically and clinically significant control of IBS symptoms” (3). Acupuncture is consider superior to the usual IBS treatments on symptomology for up to 12 months (4).
Ulcerative colitis (UC)
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. Electro-acupuncture has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on UC by reducing the concentration of TNF-a and alleviating inflammation damage (6). Recently, after reviewint all of the published medical studies, researchers stated “Clinical studies suggest that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) can regulate bowel inflammation and these treatments have the advantages of low of adverse reactions and recurrance as well as long term efficacy” (7).
Gastroparesis & Low Gastric Motility
Low gastic mobility is also termed gastroparesis, it is a commonly occuring condition that affects the stomach muscles, and prevents proper stomach emptying. In this conditon, the nerves or muscles in the digestive tract do not fucntion with their normal strength, and coordination resulting in reduced gastric digestive function. Animal studies have shown that electro-acupuncture is very effective at regulating gastric motility (9).
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD is a digesitve disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphinter. A problem with the sphinter that results in stomach acid and food content back flowing into the esophagus. This back flow causes irritation to the lining of the esophagus. According to a recent review of the published medical research, acupuncture has been shown to be effective and safe for the treatment of GERD (10).
Constipation
Research suggestes that acupuncture is potentailly positive in the treatment of chronic constipation. (11)
Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal treatment of common digestive complaints at Balanced Life Health Care Ferntree Gully
At Balanced Life Health Care we combine a series of acupuncture sessions, Chinese herbal medicine and dietary modifications. In some cases we also recommend functonal Stool testing when appropriate for the diagnosis, and treatment of common digestive complaints. Our approach combines recommendations from clinical research with indiviudalised approaches.
