Acupuncture and Digestive Disorders

 

In the fast paced world we live in, we seem to become busier and more stressed.  To accommodate this pace we sometimes alter our diet and eating habits.  We increasingly rely on fast foods, ready meals and ‘take-away’ meals.  We eat on the run, in our cars, at our desks and late at night.  These habits can lead to digestive problems.

 

When we get indigestion or wind, there are antacids to chew.  If we become constipated we take a laxative, and when our bowels become too loose we can just take a tablet to correct this.  But all this medication is just masking the signs of a poor digestive system.  We should feel energised after eating a meal.  Often one can feel lethargic and bloated.  These are signs that the body is struggling to cope.  The stomach is possibly one of the most sensitive organs in the body.  The whole digestive system is finely tuned by the nervous system.  Our nerves govern the secretions of acids and enzymes, and the movements of the digestive organs.

 

Stress and emotional problems, erratic eating and drinking habits or merely just a hectic lifestyle can take its toll on the digestive system.  Over time the stomach and particularly the spleen can become too ‘tired’ to digest food properly.  Just as the whole body needs a balance of both activity and rest, so does the digestive tract. Over-activity from too much, or too frequent eating will overwork, weaken, and even wear out the digestive system.  It may even break down to get the rest it needs.

 

How can acupuncture help?

 

In Chinese medicine, it is not only what we eat, but how we eat that is very important to our overall health.  It is also believed that we extract the maximum nourishment when we have enjoyed preparing the food, and we sit and enjoy eating it slowly. 

 

Acupuncture can be extremely effective in re-balancing, and gently boosting the energy of the digestive system.  With a course of treatment, the stomach, spleen, and intestines can begin once more to perform harmoniously, and as a result people often find that they also function better mentally, and have more energy.  This helps to lessen the symptoms of stress etc., and gradually the normal energetic balance of the body can be maintained.

 

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves inserting very fine needles into the skin at specific points that are known to affect and balance our body’s energetic flow.  By taking a number of pulses on each wrist, an acupuncturist can determine the overall state of energy (called Qi) within the body.  By taking a detailed medical history of a person, including lifestyle, eating habits etc., a diagnosis and treatment plan can be formulated. 

 

Acupuncture treatments are very individual.  For example if five people came for treatment with stomach disorders, each one would be treated differently.  An acupuncturist looks at and treats the whole person, not just the symptoms.  For this reason the acupuncturist will seek to find out exactly what a person eats, and at what time of day which will then enable her to give specific advice on what type of foods will best suit them.  This helps to speed up the healing process.

 

If you would like to make an appointment, or book a free consultation,with Linda Colclasure, one of the Earlsdon Practice's acupuncturists, please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page or call us on 02476 691100.