Acupuncture for Digestive Issues

Which digestive issues can Acupuncture Hassocks help with?

Acupuncture can help with digestive problems such as:

• Chronic constipation

• Abdominal pain

• Bloating

• Heartburn

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Chronic diarrhoea

• Indigestion/Functional dyspepsia (FD)

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Ulcerative colitis

• Crohn’s disease (CD)

How does acupuncture help with digestive issues?

In TCM, three main organs are involved in the digestion of food – Spleen, Stomach, & Liver. (Note: The organs in TCM are different from those in western medicine as they have different functions).

In relation to digestion:

• Stomach: to break down the ingested food, especially to rot and ripen the food; and to propel the food downwards.

• Spleen: to transform and to transport (the Spleen is responsible for making good quality blood from the nutrients in the food).

• Liver: to regulate the function of Stomach and Spleen. Often a poor Liver function results in digestive disorders.

TCM is all about maintaining balance.

The Stomach energy favours a downwards action, whereas Spleen energy moves upwards. When we overwhelm our digestion with too much or too little food, or too much of the wrong food, we damage the function of Stomach and Spleen. Over time, the movements of energy become imbalanced. Therefore we develop bloating, gas, pain, appetite and stool problems.

The Liver is another organ which affects digestion. Generally there is a balance between the Liver and Stomach/Spleen as the Liver energy regulates the energy of the digestive system. However, as the Liver is an organ of emotion, it often affects our digestion when it becomes constrained due to anger, feeling ‘stuck’, sadness or stress. That is why when we feel these emotions, we often notice digestive problems as well.

Of course, there are many other factors involved in digestive issues from a TCM perspective, however the above gives a typical explanation.

Acupuncture works to correct any imbalances of energy within the organ systems of the body. Once these imbalances have been resolved, using either acupuncture alone or in combination with Chinese Herbal Medicine, symptoms will resolve.

How quickly will acupuncture relieve bloating?

A few sessions of acupuncture can help significantly with more common digestive disorders such as bloating, abdominal pain, heartburn and constipation. Patients will usually also notice an improvement in other symptoms such as mood or sleep issues.

How quickly will acupuncture relieve IBS, Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease?

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine together are a powerful treatment for more complicated digestive conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis. With conditions such as these, patients will need to come weekly for 6 weeks and then work towards a maintenance program to avoid future flare-ups. They will usually also need to take a herbal prescription, tailored to their individual needs. This herbal medicine is in the form of granules which are dissolved in hot water and drunk twice daily.

How often will I need to attend acupuncture sessions?

The effects of acupuncture treatments are cumulative, so it is important to commit to weekly treatments to begin with. Treatments can usually be spaced out after this time.

Dietary advice from a TCM perspective

In order to assist in your recovery, TCM has the following recommendations for a healthy digestive system:

• Avoid ice-cold food and drink. It is better to have warm food or at least room temperature.

• Properly cooked and unprocessed food is highly recommended.

• Eat regular meals every day, i.e. a regular amount at a regular time.

• Try to avoid too much of the following: spicy food, greasy food, alcohol, sugar, sweeteners.

How can I find out more about how Acupuncture Hassocks can help with Digestive Issues or IBS?

To find out more about how Katie at Acupuncture Hassocks can help with any digestive disorder:

• call or text Katie on 07854 987806

• email acupuncturehassocks@gmail.com.

• fill in the contact form below

Where is Acupuncture Hassocks based?

All treatments are carried out at Acupuncture Hassocks Clinic based in Hassocks, West Sussex. The clinic is near to Hassocks train station, so is easily reachable from Brighton, Burgess Hill or Haywards Heath. If you are travelling by car from Hurstpierpoint, Ditchling or surrounding areas, there is free on road parking.