At our clinic we have effectively addressed a range of digestive issues, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, IBS, Crohn’s disease, acid reflux, and ulcerative colitis. 

Acupuncture can help to trigger our bodies to “rest and digest”, which is a response of our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This is a relaxed state that brings about several digestive benefits, including: 

● increased blood flow to the digestive tract

● stimulation of the salivary gland to produce digestive enzymes

● enhanced intestinal activity

● relaxation of digestive tract sphincters.

Our experience in treating Gastrointestinal disorders is in alignment with many clinical studies, which have affirmed the effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in alleviating IBS symptoms. We view IBS symptoms as a manifestation of bodily imbalance, possibly linked to factors like wind, dampness, heat, coldness, or weaknesses in the kidney, spleen, or stomach. Additional factors, such as dietary choices and emotional disturbances, can also contribute to IBS symptoms, which encompass stomach pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. 

Acupuncture helps restore balance to the gut-brain axis and the nervous system, reducing stress and improving digestive function. An overactive sympathetic nervous system, often the result of chronic stress, can lead to decreased digestive function. Acupuncture also reduces pain and inflammation, aiding in stomach acid regulation and promoting peristalsis.

We also use Chinese herbs to address digestive issues, either as standalone treatments or in conjunction with acupuncture. These herbs are taken internally and function much like food supplementation because of its rich phytonutrient content. Common herbs such as ginger and licorice have a history of enhancing digestion and have been used by various cultures for centuries.