Symptoms of digestive dysfunction start as burping, abdominal bloating and constipation and can accelerate to reflux, indigestion, loose stools, Irritable Bowel and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Long term stress will deplete digestive function causing nutrient deficiency, infection and inflammation. The following conditions are outcomes of an imbalanced digestive system:

• Heartburn
• Peptic ulcers
• Hiatus hernia
• Bacterial infections (Dysbiosis)
• Parasite infection
• Food intolerance
• Gastrointestinal tract bleeding
• Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
• Diverticulitis

Therapies

Using acupuncture for digestive problems works by nourishing related organs, reducing inflammation of the stomach and pancreas and improving digestive functions. During a treatment, the practitioner will identify certain acupuncture points on the body, typically those that speed up metabolism, regulates gastrointestinal muscle contraction and relaxation and small and large intestine function and restores stomach acidity to normal levels.

The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture for digestive issues as an effective treatment for digestive imbalance, identifying the causes such as hyperactivity of the nervous system or imbalance of the endocrine system. Using acupuncture for digestive problems works by nourishing related organs, reducing inflammation of the stomach and pancreas and improving digestive functions. In conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion — a technique of applying the herb mugwort to acupuncture points may also be utilised as an anti-inflammatory agent and to tonify imbalances. Therefore, Chinese Medicine treats patterns not conditions; examination, consultation and palpation of the client will help identify what pattern is being presented and form a diagnosis. Integration of the client’s Tongue and Pulse help form this diagnosis providing treatment before these imbalances or the underlying causes become Western diagnosed conditions.