How Can Acupuncture Help My Digestion?

How Acupuncture Helps Digestion

Acupuncture helps stimulate the “rest and digest” response, also known as the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) in the body. In this relaxed state, blood flow to your digestive tract increases, the salivary gland is stimulated which produces digestive enzymes in the body, intestinal activity increases, and sphincters in the digestive tract relax.

In addition to digestive benefits, acupuncture for digestion can increase activation of the PNS and also decreases stress in the body which usually contributes to digestive issues.

Acupuncture For Gastrointestinal Disorders

Acupuncture has been widely used in the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Uncontrolled data on the clinical use of acupuncture is packed with unjustified enthusiasm. Pilot studies have shown that acupuncture is effective in a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders including nausea and vomiting, functional disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and diarrhea), peptic ulcer disease, Crohn’s disease, postoperative ileus, and even gallstone disease.

Yet most of these data are anecdotal in nature and unsubstantiated by properly designed randomized studies. The most compelling and consistent evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture probably lies in its relieving effects on nausea and vomiting. Scientists systematically reviewed 33 randomized controlled trials and found that, overall, the effect of acupuncture was positive.

It does take multiple treatments to get more noticeable results. This is why we suggest sitting down and talking to one of the experts at The Great Turning Acupuncture in order to get a proper assessment and to set clear expectations of what you will experience. 

If you are in the Northern Liberties or Delaware waterfront then come and visit us at the Great Turning Acupuncture.

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