Most people know acupuncture can help with pain, headaches, and allergies, but many are surprised when they learn that acupuncture can be effective at treating digestive issues was well. What digestive conditions can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture can help manage the symptoms of a number of different digestive conditions:
· Crohn's Disease
· Ulcerative Colitis
· Celiac's Disease
· Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What digestive symptoms can acupuncture help?
· Bloating
· Digestive pain/cramping/discomfort
· Constipation
· Diarrhea
· Irregular bowel movements
It's also been suggested that acupuncture can help with "leaky gut syndrome," i.e., strengthening the mucosal barrier of the digestive tract. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4507100/
In a 2007 systematic review in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, it was found that acupuncture improved quality of life for IBS, Crohn's and Ulcerative colitis patients in each study they reviewed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4146776/
OK, so it works, but what does an Acupuncture Treatment for a Digestive issue look like?
Curious about what happens during acupuncture treatment for a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder? Keep in mind that TCM treats the whole body and acupuncture is only part of a complete disease management plan. This means that there is no specific treatment plan for every ailment but rather the practitioner designs an individualized plan for each patient. Remember as well, that you should not quit any medication that you are taking unless you notify your physician and confirm it with your acupuncturist or doctor of TCM.
Even when a problem manifests in the abdominal area, your treatment plan could include acupuncture points elsewhere on the body, such as the arms or legs. For example, a female patient may come in with symptoms of bloating and gas. After assessing her using TCM diagnostic criteria, the practitioner could select acupuncture points on her left hand between her thumb and index finger and sites below her knees. Another patient may have the same symptoms, but his treatment could call for acupuncture points on his back and the back of his legs. Treatment could also vary from session to session for the same patient.
During the procedure, while you’re comfortably lying down, the practitioner inserts sterile single use tiny needles into your skin at selected points, aiming to achieve a ‘needling sensation’ called de qi. This sensation includes feelings of heaviness, aching, tingling, numbness, electricity, and warmth. It is quite soothing and patients often fall asleep during treatment, which could include leaving the needles in place for 20-45 minutes.
After treatment, patients may feel tired, or a bit groggy, as if they have just woken up from a nap. It’s a good idea not to plan anything over-stimulating, such as vigorous exercise after treatment, and to drink plenty of room temperature or warmer water as this often helps to re-energize following treatment.
Sessions could range from a daily occurrence to as few as once per month, or even once per season, but usually a management plan includes treatment once or twice per week.
If you're struggling with digestive issues, acupuncture may be able to help, please schedule a free 15 minute consult with one of our Acupuncturists to learn more about how acupuncture can be a viable treatment for you.