Acupuncture As Treatment For Gut Health
Did you know that acupuncture is an alternative drug-free therapy that can help relieve indigestion, abdominal pain, and constipation, and improve gastric discomfort naturally? Studies show that acupuncture stimulates peristalsis in the intestinal tract, improves digestive functions, and helps relieve chronic constipation.
Maintaining your gastrointestinal health is crucial as the gastrointestinal tract consists of all the major organs responsible for delivering nutrients to your overall body and controlling the digestion and absorption processes of food, and your well-being. If your gastrointestinal system is disturbed, it can hinder your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, causing digestive disorders, like diarrhea, weakness, constipation, indigestion, vomiting, ulcers, and more.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 60 to 70 million people are affected by some type of gastric disease globally. In 2019, 375,170 deaths were reported from digestive disorders.
Acupuncture is a natural therapy that balances the gut-brain axis and works on the nervous system to reduce hyperactivity, and gastric acid secretion, promote natural peristalsis and control gut motility. It involves minimal side effects and risks
In this blog, we will discuss everything about how acupuncture affects gut health and promotes digestive wellness, including its procedure, how long acupuncture takes to work, and much more. So, let’s get started.
What Is Acupuncture And How Does It Work?
Acupuncture is an alternative Chinese therapy that involves inserting very fine needles into specific pressure points in the body. The areas where needles are inserted are known as acupressure or acupuncture points.
The insertion of needles stimulates the central nervous system to release certain neurotransmitters that balance the disrupted effects and flow of energy in the body. The release of useful neurotransmitters stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and maintain physical and emotional well-being.
How does Acupuncture Help Promote Digestive Wellness And Gut Health?
You might have heard that our parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for controlling the rest and digestion activities of the body. The insertion of needles in acupuncture therapy stimulates and activates the parasympathetic nervous system by increasing blood flow to the brain, promoting digestion activities.
The activation of the parasympathetic nervous system promotes digestion, relaxes your body, and reduces stress. Reduced hyperactivity and stress in turn improve digestive function.
Acupuncture also balances the autonomic nervous system. Our autonomic nervous system divides into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic branch inhibits digestion, while the parasympathetic brand increases rest and digestion. By balancing both autonomic nervous systems, acupuncture helps support optimal digestion.
Hence, by stimulating the nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system that is involved in controlling gut motility, digestive activities, and gastric acid secretion, acupuncture helps relieve several gastrointestinal disorders.
By activating and balancing the nervous system, acupuncture helps reduce stress and hyperactivity, therefore improving gut function, decreasing pain, acid production, and inflammation, and promoting natural peristalsis.
Benefits Of Acupuncture For Digestive Health
There are several benefits of acupuncture for gut health and digestive wellness, including:
- Acupuncture is a drug-free and natural therapy that activates the body’s own healing response to digestive issues, such as stomach pain, constipation, bloating, and ulcers.
- Acupuncture helps increase blood flow and circulation to the body and brain, which releases neurotransmitters that decrease pain and inflammation associated with stomach disturbances.
- Acupuncture balances the effects of the autonomic nervous system, which in return decreases or increases digestion and gastric motility as per need. Increased gastrointestinal motility helps with constipation while controlling gastric motility helps manage diarrhea.
- Acupuncture helps manage weight by addressing underlying factors that contribute to weight gains, like imbalanced digestion, cravings, and overeating.
- By improving overall digestive functions, acupuncture helps improve the absorption of nutrients from food, like essential minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients needed for maintaining health.
- Acupuncture reduces stress and promotes overall relaxation in the body. This positively impacts the digestive system, alleviating gastric issues.
What Are The Acupuncture Points To Improve Digestion And Relieve Gastric Issues?
There are four common acupuncture points known to improve digestion and help ease gastric disturbances. These points are named Sp-6, Ren 12, LI-4, and ST-36. The names of acupuncture points are typically derived from the Chinese language. However, the points can vary from person to person depending on the specific digestive issue being treated.
Sp-6
Sp-6 or Sanyinjiao is an acupuncture point present in the inner side of your lower leg and four finger widths above the bone of your ankle. It is a versatile point that helps relieve several gastric issues, like constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Ren 12
Ren 12 is also known as Zhongwan or RN12. It is located in the middle of the abdomen and four fingers width above your belly button. It helps relieve indigestion, abdominal bloating and regulates stomach function.
LI-4
Ll-4 or Hegu is located between your thumb and index finger at the back of your hand. It helps with abdominal pain.
ST-36
ST-36 is also known as Zusanli or leg three miles. It is located on the lower leg below the knee. Inserting acupuncture needles on this point helps improve overall digestion, reduce abdominal pain, and strengthen the digestive system.
How Long Does Acupuncture Take To Improve Digestion?
How long acupuncture takes to improve digestion and relieve gastrointestinal disturbances can vary depending on the severity of the condition and individual patient factors and outcomes. Overall, it may take at least two to three sessions to notice any effects.
A 4-week treatment course, involving 1-2 sessions per week has been shown to improve digestion and relieve abdominal discomfort, like cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
Some patients find acupuncture therapy relaxing and prefer taking ongoing sessions. However, it is crucial to consult your healthcare professional and acupuncturist beforehand to plan your sessions depending on your overall health condition and personal need.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is safe when performed accurately by a trained professional. Hence, the procedure must be done by a qualified and experienced acupuncturist at a certified clinic to minimize side effects or risks.
Acupuncture is free from severe adverse effects and can include mild side effects, like mild redness, tingling sensation, pain, and swelling at the site of insertion in your first few sessions. The major side effects like bleeding or infection are rare.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is a natural drug-free procedure that helps relieve several gastric issues. It stimulates your body’s natural response to healing by increasing blood flow and activating the nervous system involved in controlling and balancing your digestive functions. It also helps ease stress, pain, and inflammation and promotes overall relaxation in the body. By consulting and scheduling a treatment plan with your healthcare professional, you can also utilize other treatments with acupuncture.