Acupuncture for Digestive Issues

There are many kinds of digestive issues and upsets that folks suffer from. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, chronic acid reflux, and other, more general or hard-to-define symptoms and conditions may adversely impact the day to day lives of folks that live with them.

According to GI Alliance, twenty million Americans suffer from chronic digestive diseases. Symptoms from these conditions are one of the most common causes of workforce disability, and account for one of the U.S.’s most common reasons for lost working hours. Further, about one in four surgeries in the United States are due to some kind of digestive condition or disorder.

People who live with digestive issues, diseases, and other conditions may feel as if there are few solutions available. However, current research and data supports the ability of acupuncture to offer safe, natural, and effective symptom relief and condition management for quite a few diverse digestive concerns. We’ve gathered some information for you to learn about how and why acupuncture is a popular tool in the treatment of these issues.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a common gastrointestinal condition. An estimated 5-10% of the world’s population live with IBS, from children to adults. People with IBS may experience abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, and changes in the appearance of bowel movements. IBS symptoms have the potential to interfere with daily life and the quality of life for those who live with it.

Research in Western medicine has begun supporting the ability of acupuncture to treat IBS. One analysis found that data from several trials, “suggests that acupuncture improves the symptoms of IBS,” listing pain, bloating, and the frequency and state of bowel movements as just a few improved symptoms. After noting the dearth of adverse effects following acupuncture treatment, the researchers conclude by stating that their analysis, “showed that acupuncture is beneficial for IBS patients.”

A trial conducted in a hospital found that acupuncture was effective to treat and manage symptoms for 90% of study participants, while 36.4% reported recovery. While the recovery rate may not seem like much, their control group—which did not receive acupuncture treatment—reported that only 79.1% of participants found that treatment managed their symptoms and only 18.6% reported recovery.

Another trial testing acupuncture’s efficacy in treating this condition states, “Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome provided an additional benefit over usual care alone. The magnitude of the effect was sustained over the longer term. Acupuncture should be considered as a treatment option to be offered in primary care along other evidenced based treatments.”

Overall, literature and research suggests that acupuncture could be beneficial for patients with IBS. From just acupuncture treatment, to the dietary and lifestyle recommendations of practitioners, to the incorporation of other East Asian medicine modalities, acupuncture could provide significant relief from the symptoms of IBS.

Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s Disease

Both Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease are kinds of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It’s estimated that three million Americans live with some kind of IBD, most commonly occurring in those ages 15-30.

Ulcerative colitis mainly impacts the large intestine, causing swelling and ulcers (or sores). Common symptoms of both can be abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating, mucus or blood in stool, and just generally an upset stomach. Crohn’s disease can cause pain and swelling in the digestive system.

Research increasingly supports the ability of acupuncture to treat and alleviate symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s.

As an article from Healthline points out, “Acupuncture may be an effective therapy for ulcerative colitis because it activates or enhances the body’s natural painkillers. This helps your body regulate inflammation, decreases disease activity, and lessens pain associated with UC.”

One analysis found that, "…acupuncture improves disease activity and inflammation in IBD. Acupuncture also has nonimmune effects that could positively modulate the gut microbiota and improve GI barrier function in IBD. In addition, for symptom management, acupuncture has therapeutic potential for IBS/visceral hypersensitivity, GI dysmotility, depression/anxiety, and pain, which frequently occur with IBD.”

Another study, specifically on acupuncture’s impact on balancing cells and hormones in the gastrointestinal system, found that acupuncture may be beneficial in producing a decreased ratio of Th17 and Treg cells, both of which have been found in high numbers in patients with Crohn’s disease specifically.

There are two other studies, one from 2013 and another from 2019, showing data that traditional Chinese medicine treatments for patients with IBD showed a significant reduction in associated symptoms such as indigestion, reflux, and pain. They found that along with a reduction in symptoms, patients reported using less pharmaceuticals and other medicine to manage their conditions.

Data continues to support the ability of acupuncture to help treat and manage inflammatory bowel diseases, especially ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. When combined with other modalities of East Asian medicine, such as moxibustion, research shows that patients may experience a significant reduction in their symptoms.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can refer to any pain in your stomach or belly. This could mean anything from stomachaches to cramps, and could cause gas, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and other effects. Generalized abdominal pain usually does not have a specific cause such as a gastrointestinal disorder, but nonetheless can severely impact the lives of folks who experience it.

There is plenty of research that has found support for acupuncture’s ability to relieve pain, and instances of generalized abdominal pain are no different. An analysis of several different studies and trials found that, “…acupuncture can improve gastrointestinal function, enhance gastric motility, and effectively treat abdominal pain.”

Another study done on chronic abdominal pain treated with acupuncture said that their evidence suggests, “Acupuncture may provide further alleviation of these symptoms [chronic pain and chronic abdominal pain]… thus improving quality of life, reducing disability, and saving healthcare dollars.”

A few other recent studies and analyses conducted in recent years, specifically looking at conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, also supported claims that acupuncture helps relieve and even resolve symptoms such as abdominal pain. Acupuncture, data suggests, can be a safe, natural, and effective tool in treating abdominal pain.

Constipation & Diarrhea

Some of the most common symptoms of many gastrointestinal disorders, as well as other illness and conditions (such as food poisoning, stress and anxiety, travel, and more), most people experience constipation or diarrhea in their lifetime. Constipation can cause difficult, painful, and/or infrequent bowel movements. Diarrhea, on the other hand, can cause watery or loose and frequent bowel movements.

There are data supporting the ability of acupuncture, other East Asian modalities, and herbal medicines to relieve constipation and diarrhea, acute or chronic. A study from 2020 found that acupuncture treatment improved the frequency and quality of bowel movements for patients with these symptoms, including due to IBS or IBD, and another found that acupuncture may improve symptoms for patients with chronic constipation.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) aka Heartburn

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is also called chronic acid reflux or chronic heartburn. Any kind of acid reflux involves the acid-containing contents of your stomach rising up your esophagus, causing a burning and even painful feeling in your chest, trouble swallowing, and even hoarseness. These symptoms often arise or worsen after eating.

Providers often recommend a combination of East Asian medicine techniques to treat heartburn. Most often, you may hear a provider recommend herbal medicine and acupuncture to help provide relief. A clinical trial of acupuncture and herbal medicine to treat GERD found that after treatment, study participants reported significant alleviation of their symptoms, results which were “markedly superiors to that of medication,” in reducing symptoms of heartburn.

Another study found that acupuncture treatment, “…can effectively inhibit the intraesophageal acid and bile reflux in GER patients to alleviate patients’ symptoms with good safety,” and go on to detail the dearth of adverse effects or ineffective or intolerable treatments reported by patients.

…And More!

All in all, research has been increasingly supportive of acupuncture’s ability to treat myriad gastrointestinal conditions. Common symptoms of many digestive issues, such as abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, can be effectively treated by acupuncture and the several other tools acupuncturists often utilize in a course of treatment.

Our providers at Love Acupuncture & Wellness Group are experienced in helping patients alleviate symptoms of their digestive conditions. If you have one of these conditions and/or symptoms and have found other avenues to wellness ineffective, we encourage you to try acupuncture.

If you’re interested in learning more or would like assistance setting up an appointment, feel free to email us at info@loveacu.net or call our office at (503) 343 9851 to speak with one of our spectacular front desk staff. They can put you in touch with one of our fabulous providers, and together, we can help get you back on the path to wellness.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Do not wait for an appointment with us. We are happy to help with chronic pain; however, we are not equipped for or specialized in urgent or emergent care.