Acupuncture for Digestive Support

The festive season presents us with numerous dishes and tables abundant in food, often consecutive days in a row. This isn’t the norm for our digestion !  

But the overindulgence typical of Christmas and holiday celebrations can lead to digestive discomfort, including symptoms like bloating, reflux, belching, indigestion, and nausea. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers effective natural remedies—both Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine—to restore balance and give the digestion relief.

What Is Overindulgence?

In TCM, overindulgence refers to consuming more food or drink than the digestive system can handle. This disrupts the harmonious flow of qi (energy) in the stomach and spleen, leading to stagnation or an excess of heat and dampness.

Signs of Overindulgence:

1. Reflux and Belching

2. Indigestion and Bloating

3. Nausea

How Acupuncture Can Help Digestion

Acupuncture has treatment strategies around relieving stagnation, and harmonising the Stomach, soothing the Liver and keeping gut motility moving.

Important Acupoints for Digestion:

1. ST36 (Zusanli): Boosts energy, and alleviates bloating.

2. PC6 (Neiguan): This is probably one of the most clinically studied acupoints. It is research backed for any nausea including morning sickness and post-op nausea. It settles the stomach quite quickly. 

3. CV12 (Zhongwan): Eases abdominal discomfort, reduces indigestion, and regulates the stomach.

Chinese Herbs for Holiday-Induced Indigestion

Herbal formulas can target specific digestive imbalances caused by overeating. Here are 4 commonly used herbs:

1. Hawthorn Berry (Shan Zha): Known for improving digestion, particularly of fatty and greasy foods. It also reduces bloating and food stagnation.

2. Pinellia (Ban Xia): A warming herb that alleviates nausea.

3. Citrus Peel (Chen Pi): Resolves dampness and reduces bloating and fullness or abdominal distention.

4. Barley Sprout (Mai Ya): Aids in digesting carbohydrates and relieving food stagnation.

Overindulgence during the holidays doesn’t have to leave you feeling sluggish and like you have a brick in your stomach. By integrating Acupuncture, Chinese herbs you can enjoy the season while keeping your digestion on track. 

For tailored advice, you can make an appointment with Katika, the Lotus Centre’s Registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner who works Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 

M: 0414 459 659

Online booking link: https://www.ezybook.net/pages/familywellnesscentre/