TREATABLE CONDITIONS
Digestive Disorders
There is something about digestive difficulties that makes them hard to discuss in polite company. Digestive problems not only can feel embarrassing, they can be painful and often disruptive to your life. Acupuncture can help regulate and improve digestive function so you feel more comfortable, less distracted by symptoms and better able to enjoy life.
In the World Health Organization’s (WHO) landmark study “Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials” made the following statement with regards to acupuncture and the treatment of digestive disorders:
“Acupuncture provides satisfactory relief of epigastric pain – significantly better than injections of anisodamine or morphine plus atropine, as shown in randomized controlled trials. For gastrointestinal spasms acupuncture is also superior to injections of atrophine, and for gastrokinetic disturbances, the effectiveness of acupuncture is comparable with that of conventional medicine (domperidone).
Morning sickness, postoperative vomiting, and nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy are frequently encountered clinically. In all these conditions, acupuncture at point neiguan (PC6) seems to have a specific antiemetic (prevents vomiting) effect. A recent systematic review of trials using acupuncture for antiemesis showed that 11 of 12 randomized placebo- controlled trials, involving nearly 2000 patients, supported this effect. The reviewed papers showed consistent results across different investigators, different groups of patients, and different forms of acupuncture stimulation.
Irritable colon syndrome and chronic ulcerative colitis are often difficult to treat with conventional medication. For these diseases, acupuncture may serve as a complementary or alternative therapeutic measure.
There has been extensive research on the effect of acupuncture on the digestive system, with extensive data showing its influence on the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, including acid secretion, motility, neurohormonal changes and changes in sensory thresholds. Many of the neuroanatomic pathways of these effects have been identified in animal models.”
At Eastern Shore Acupuncture we see digestive disorders of all kinds respond wonderfully to acupuncture, especially when combined with other lifestyle and natural healing strategies, such as diet, exercise, stress management and herbs. We have experience treating problems in all areas of the digestive tract, such as acid reflux, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea, and vomiting, IBS, and crohns disease to name only a few. If you have further questions or would like to discuss your digestive health concerns with our acupuncturist, please feel free to call or email for an initial consultation.
