Digestive Disorders

Digestive problems include any medical condition that can impede the smooth functioning of the digestive system. The digestive process begins at the mouth and ends with the evacuation of waste, the byproduct of the food we eat. Aside from eliminating waste from food, the digestive system is also responsible for absorbing all the nutrients needed by the human body to function. When your digestive system is incapable of carrying out its primary functions efficiently, then you will likely experience digestive issues

Intermittent indigestion or other digestive problems are common occurrences for many individuals. However, when these issues become more persistent, it may be a sign of a more substantial underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Digestive health concerns can range from heartburn, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal bacterial imbalances to more serious conditions such as SIBO, ulcers, colitis, Crohn's disease, stomach cancer, diverticulitis, and colorectal cancer. The symptoms can vary and may include stomach pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and changes in appetite.

Causes of digestive disorders can be wide-ranging, encompassing factors such as emotional stress, poor dietary habits, antibiotic or drug use, toxin exposure, or hiatal hernia. Supportive therapies like Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Nutritional Therapy can provide rapid relief from symptoms while simultaneously addressing the root cause of the condition.

Our Approach

How Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Can Alleviate Digestive Issues

Symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, cramping, and abdominal pain can indicate that your digestive tract is not functioning optimally. Often, the root cause of these issues can be traced back to chronic stress, poor dietary choices, inadequate sleep habits, and other lifestyle factors.

Acupuncture plays a vital role in balancing the gut-brain axis and the nervous system to mitigate stress and enhance digestive function. Chronic stress can overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to impaired digestion. Acupuncture effectively reduces pain and inflammation, helping regulate stomach acid production and promote healthy peristalsis.

Chinese herbs, either standalone or combined with acupuncture treatments, are widely used to address digestive issues. These herbs are taken internally and function like food supplements or dietary adjustments to support digestive health. Common herbs such as ginger and licorice have been embraced by various cultures worldwide for centuries, renowned for their ability to improve digestion.

Collectively,Aacupuncture and Herbal medicine can help alleviate the following digestive concerns (and more):

  • Bloating

  • Constipation

  • Diarrhea

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), IBS-D, IBS-C

  • Chronic Diarrhea

  • Sequela of C. Difficile treatment with lingering symptoms.

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis and celiac disease)

  • Idiopathic diseases, diseases of unknown origin

  • Gastroparesis

  • SIBO

  • Nausea - (Hyperemesis gravidarum) as related to pregnancy

• Hyperemesis gravidarum as related to pregnancy

It is important to remember, Integrative Medicine should not be used to compete with efficacious treatment modalities that are already available in conventional Western medicine. Exploration of its clinical applications should focus on conditions for which conventional medicine can find no satisfactory remedy or conventional treatment has been unable to manage stubborn symptoms.