Chinese Medicine for Digestion
Anyone who has had bouts of constipation, stomach pain, or vomiting knows that digestion can determine how good the day was. Our digestive system is incredibly complex so figuring out what is going on in there can be frustrating and often costly if tests are performed. Chinese Medicine looks at the digestive system a little differently and can provide a more holistic approach to healing the gut.
Here’s a really brief overview of the digestive system. It begins in the mouth where we chew our food and then moves through the rest of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Each stage of the GI tract has a role so the food and drink we take in are broken down into the smallest form for the body to absorb and move to where it needs to go. The waste products are then removed from the body through the stool. That’s the quick and dirty of the digestive system.
However, it’s important to note that the digestive system is responsible for so much more than digesting food. Did you know that 90% of your serotonin is made in the gut? Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in mood, sleep, sexual desire, digestion, wound healing, and bone health. In addition, microbes in the gut play an essential role in stimulating the immune system and synthesizing nutrients. For these reasons alone, I think everyone should get excited about improving their gut health.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, food and drink are ingested and sent to the Stomach organ where they will ripen into the pure and impure. The pure is sent to the Spleen organ where it will be made into Qi, Blood, and Fluids. The impure is sent to the Small Intestine organ where it will break down further. The useful bits are sent to the Spleen organ for transformation and distribution and the waste is sent to the Large Intestine for excretion. If any of these organs are imbalanced, then one experiences digestive disorders.
Chinese Medicine excels at treating digestive disorders because of how we break down each symptom into categories relating to specific organs. It is possible that we can see three people who have been diagnosed with gastroparesis, delayed emptying of the stomach, by their GI doctor, but from our viewpoint they have three entirely different diagnoses.
During your initial intake, we will ask you many questions about your digestive system. These questions range from your eating habits to your pooping schedule to your emotions surrounding food. In addition, we do a complete work up of the rest of your health as well because this further allows us to determine your personal pattern and constitution. Once we have established a diagnosis, we are able to create your personalized treatment plan.
Treatment plans may consist of several modalities including:
Acupuncture: Depending on your pattern, acupuncture needles may be placed in your arms, legs, abdomen, and head. A typical treatment plan includes acupuncture treatments 1-2 times per week for the first few weeks so that we can get the symptoms under control. From there, we will begin to space the treatments out ultimately reaching a maintenance plan.
Moxibustion: Depending on your pattern, we may use moxibustion which is the burning of mugwort on or near acupuncture points. Moxibustion comes in many forms, but we most often use what is called a moxa box or pole moxa. A moxa box is a small box in which a moxa cone is placed inside and then lit. It burns similarly to incense but without the smoke. It creates a warm sensation in the body where the box is placed. Pole moxa is similar to an incense stick but larger. It comes in smoky and non-smoky varieties. This is lit like an incense stick and then placed near acupuncture points to create a warming sensation in the body.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: In many cases, adding herbal medicine will increase the effectiveness of treatments. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years and is a very safe form of treatment. We have herbal formulas to treat all types of digestive conditions from chronic diarrhea and acid reflux to hemorrhoids and vomiting. We also have the ability to customize formulas to make them more specific to your situation.
Dietary recommendations: Traditional Chinese medicine puts a strong emphasis on nutrition believing that food therapy is the most powerful medicine. The correct diet for you is based on your constitution with seasonal adjustments for your environment. While this sounds complicated, it really isn’t. Your provider will discuss your constitution with you and what dietary recommendations are appropriate for you.
Lifestyle recommendations: Our lifestyle plays a big role in our digestion whether you realize it or not. Stress, exercise, lack of sleep, irregular schedules, and more will alter the gut microbiome. We will make suggestions for ways to improve your gut health.
What are you waiting for? Schedule today to optimize your digestive system!