Acupuncture and the Digestive System
According to Chinese Medicine energy is produced from two sources :
- air inhaled during breathing
- energy from food provided by proper digestion
Diseases of the digestive system and metabolic disturbances have been successfully treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture and herbal medicine for digestive disturbances and abdominal pain and discomfort can often provide relief where other methods have failed.
Common conditions that are treatable with Acupuncture & Chinese medicine include:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain and bloating
- ulcerative colitis
- acid reflux syndrome
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Energy Levels: When digestion is poor, energy levels drop due to the inefficient extraction of nutrients from food and the impaired elimination of waste products. Acupuncture and herbal medicine optimize the digestion system and restore energy levels.
Chinese Medicine Theory 
The digestion system is the center of Chinese medicine theory. Known as the “Spleen and Stomach” school of thought, it is believed that digestion is central to bodily health.
The body receives energy from KIDNEY QI (AKA Genetics in western thought) and POST NATAL QI. Post Natal Qi is derived from food and air. The ability of the body to breathe properly and extract nutrients from food provides the basis for a healthy life. The transforming and transporting functions of digestion help to deliver nutrients where they are needed and to eliminate toxins and waste efficiently. Acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietetics are central components of Chinese medicine that are used to enhance digestion and good health.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Various conditions, which are characterized by inflammatory processes of the digestive system, especially of small intestine and large intestine, are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease. Two main types of these diseases are ULCERATIVE COLITIS and CROHN’S DISEASE. It is estimated that in 2010, these illneses caused the death of approximatly 34,000 people. Because of the seriousness of symptoms and complications of long-term drug treatment, patients often look for additional methods of treatment.
Diabetes: Diabetes is defined as a disease characterized by an increased level of glucose in blood. It stems from the fact that body is not able to transport glucose to the inside of cells. Thus, the level of glucose in blood is too high, while cells are starving to death.
There are two types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – insulin dependent – is caused by actual lack of insulin
because of damage of β cells of Langerhans Islets. - Type 2 diabetes – insulin-independent – is a metabolic disease, connected often with obesity. Primarily, it is characterized by resistance to insulin, relative lack of insulin and hyperglycemia.
Stomach Ulcers: Patients suffering from stomach ulcers often look for help outside of mainstream medicine. When gastroesophageal reflux was discussed, it was said that acupuncture added to the basic dose of a proton pump inhibitor is more efficient than doubling the dose. Influence of random techniques of needle acupuncture on electrical activity of the stomach was also researched.
