People prefer to use medications that do not have many side effects. Herbal medicines and alternative medicine barely have any, which is why these forms of medical treatments are making a comeback and more people are opting for them in many parts of the world. Acupuncture is one such form of medicine that people are choosing to treat various kinds of chronic conditions. Acupuncture is beneficial for a wide breadth of conditions like cancer, heart problems, fertility problems, macular degeneration, allergies, digestive issues and much more. The results are very satisfactory, prompting happy patients to recommend it to others and helping its popularity soar. For example, in terms of digestive system disorders, acid reflux can be treated with acupuncture to help bring symptoms under control.
Acupuncture Helps Relieve Acid Reflux
When one eats foods that are rich in protein and fats, acid is produced in the stomach to help with digestion. The richer and greasier the food, the more acid is needed and if milk, water or soda is also consumed along with the food, it will result in heartburn or acid reflux and acupuncture will be able to help. This occurs because of the pressure that is built up in the stomach. Acupuncture will help decrease the spasms, leading to better digestion and less pressure in the stomach. It also improves overall intestinal and stomach movement, which helps to ease the discomfort.
Other Digestive Problems Can Be Treated With Acupuncture
Other than acid reflux, acupuncture can help treat IBS and its symptoms like diarrhea. It optimizes intestinal peristalsis and reduces the inflammation of the intestines. It balances the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and helps treat ulcers, constipation and allergies. Patients who have been suffering from digestive disorders for many years have found relief and in some cases, cures after undergoing a few regular sessions of acupuncture. Another thing that people like about this treatment is that it is not painful and has no side effects. The needles used are disposable and hence very sanitary, and when the acupuncturist is trained well and experienced, needle insertion is painless.
Herbs and Acupuncture Work Well Together
For those who want to live a long and healthy life, a Chinese herbalist will suggest the foods you should eat as well as points on your body where acupressure should be done to increase blood flow to your heart and adrenal glands. For some ailments to be cured faster, like acid reflux, acupuncture should be done along with the consumption of certain herbs with medicinal value. Herbalists will be able to give the patient a combination of these herbs, which will complement other treatments. Even conditions like infertility and other women’s problems like menopause and PMS can be treated with acupuncture and herbs.
Li Zheng is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and a graduate of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine with 11 years of formal training, including 6 years of residency. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the US and is a Harvard Medical School-trained researcher and a professor at the New England School of Acupuncture. Her two practices are located in Needham, MA and Boca Raton, FL. She has 26 years of clinical experience. Here she is sharing the information about acid reflux can be treated with acupuncture