IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Crohn’s disease
ulcerative colitis
constipation
diarrhea
ulcers
diverticulitis
gastritis
GERD
(Gastro-esophageal Reflux
Disorder
including: heartburn & acid reflux)
indigestion
food allergies
Candida
abdominal pain
Are you tired of never ending drug therapy for a chronic stomach problem? Looking for a natural healing approach that will provide a long-term resolution for your digestive disorder? Would you like to restore your digestive health?
Chinese medicine may likely provide the answers you seek.
My patients and I have been quite pleased with the results we have seen for a wide variety of digestive system disorders, including bowel problems such as constipation, diarrhea and IBS, gastric problems, such as acid reflux & gastritis, stomach pain and GERD and other stomach issues, such as poor appetite.
Superior results through individualized, holistic treatment strategies
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views the body quite differently than conventional, western medicine. We take an individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment. Acupuncturists look for constitutional patterns causing the breakdown in the patients’ digestive function.
Commonly in the west, stress plays a huge role in digestive system disorders. Stress causes us to tighten up. When we tighten up, our Qi (energy) gets blocked and does not flow smoothly. When qi does not flow smoothly in the digestive system, the bowels can move too slow or too fast. Our bodies are warm. When Qi gets blocked in the digestive organs, heat builds up causing acid reflux and burning stomach ulcers.
In other patients, digestive problems can be caused by weakness, or deficiency. These patients may suffer from chronic illness. They will be tired, often with a poor appetite, particularly in the morning. They may have vague stomach pain, malaise: the stomach ‘just doesn’t feel right’. In this case there is not enough Qi to perform digestive function.
These two types of patients require completely different treatment strategies. The stressed patient requires lifestyle modification to learn to better manage stress. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy are focused on clearing heat and moving or circulating Qi through the digestive system. Mint is a cooling herb that clears heat and circulates stagnant Qi.
The weak, deficient patient must be tonified, with herbs such as astragalus and ginseng to build qi.
Of course there are many other TCM patterns involved in stomach and bowel problems. A skilled practitioner is experienced in diagnosing and treating the various nuances of each patient’s presenting symptoms.
How do I begin TCM treatment for my digestive problem?
The TCM practitioner must properly diagnose your constitutional pattern involved in your stomach issue. To begin, schedule an initial consultation so that I can review your medical history and presenting symptoms.
How long will Chinese medical treatment take until I feel better?
I practice a unique system of acupuncture called Balance MethodTM , developed by Dr. Richard Tan. Dr. Tan is a senior practitioner. He has been practicing in his busy clinic for over 30 years. During that time he has developed replicable protocols for many commonly seen clinical conditions. Several of these are my stand-by treatments for digestive disorders because they consistently deliver reliable results. With Balance MethodTM acupuncture results are typically seen faster than other methods of treatment. I expect to begin seeing improvements in digestive health within one to three treatments.
For chronic digestive problems, a course of treatment is usually required. A course of treatment in Chinese medicine is 10-12 acupuncture treatments or weeks of herbal medicine. For a complete resolution of symptoms, additional treatment beyond the first course may be needed.
Improvement is individual. A deficient patient may take some time to build Qi (energy). Likewise, a stressed patient may need time to make the lifestyle changes required to reduce and manage stress. Sometimes a person can improve quickly, like the patient I discuss in this case study from early in my clinical practice.