Acupuncture for Digestive Health: How it Can Help with IBS, Acid Reflux, and Other Conditions

Digestive disorders impact over 60 million Americans every year. Though the symptoms are somewhat different between the various gastrointestinal issues, the treatments are similar.While most conventional treatments leave people wanting, acupuncture has over 2,000 years of successful use. By increasing energy, improving mood, lowering stress, and aiding in weight loss, acupuncture can attack these disorders at the source. If you want to know more about these disorders, their cause, and potential treatments, keep reading!

What Are IBS, Acid Reflux, and Other Digestive Disorders?

IBS, acid reflux, and various digestive disorders are disruptive and uncomfortable. Sometimes they can severely impede a person's daily ability to work, travel, and function. While IBS and GERD are the most troublesome, acid reflux can be uncomfortable and disruptive.

IBS

IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. It gets this name from the way it makes sufferers of the disease feel day to day. While the cause of IBS remains unknown, stress, poor diet, and anxiety seem to cause flair-ups.

GERD

GERD, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a painful and unpleasant form of intestinal disturbance. GERD is an esophageal disturbance often occurring when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weakened or disrupted. The LES prevents food, liquid, and stomach acid from traveling up your esophagus. Typically, GERD is caused by being obese, pregnant, or having a poor diet. Over time, this can weaken your LES and damage your esophagus and stomach lining.While GERD is a chronic condition, it's not necessarily the same as acid reflux disease. Specifically, GERD is generally more serious and doesn't go away. Though GERD can bring about acid reflux, sometimes, acid reflux can be caused by temporary conditions.

How Does Acupuncture Help Treat Digestive Disorders?

Acupuncture can help treat and manage digestive disorders in several ways. Oftentimes, stress and hormonal disturbances trigger acid reflux, GERD, and IBS. Acupuncture can help balance your hormones, regulate acidity in your stomach, and release endorphins to manage pain.In fact, several studies investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture on digestive disorders and IBS. This research revealed that acupuncture releases endorphins that help alleviate pain and stress. Since most digestive disorders are linked to stress and poor lifestyle choices, acupuncture helps by alleviating these issues.Acupuncture can help treat the symptoms of digestive disorders in the following ways:

• Lowering stress hormones
• Releasing pain-killing endorphins
• Increasing energy levels (helps with weight management)
• Improving sleep (helps lower stress and regulate hormones)

In general, a combination of poor diet and lifestyle factors often causes digestive disorders. We've already established that acupuncture helps by alleviating stress, but it also helps increase your body's energy. In turn, this can help you make smarter lifestyle choices by helping you eat better and exercise regularly. Due to the fact that weight and diet are significant factors in IBS, GERD, and acid reflux symptoms, acupuncture can help you manage these issues.

Improving Digestive Health With Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help alleviate your issues if you're struggling with digestive discomfort and acid reflux. One of the main underlying causes of these issues is weight. Most notably, the extra weight adds pressure on your LES, causing stomach acid to travel up your throat. Additionally, extra weight can cause pressure on the lower gut, irritating your bowels and causing most IBS symptoms.Acupuncture is a powerful treatment that can improve digestive health and can also help to improve mood, increase energy levels, and regulate hormonal balance. Experience the healing benefits of acupuncture at Be Well Acupuncture. We strive to provide a relaxing environment to promote healing and balance so you can leave your acupuncture session feeling refreshed. To book an appointment, call 732-630-0360 or click here to book online.