In today’s world, digestive issues are incredibly common and a frequent complaint we treat at Balance. Whether it’s bloating, acid reflux, constipation, or IBS, gut problems can seriously mess with your day (and your mood). While medications and diet changes help, more and more people are turning to acupuncture as a natural way to support their digestion and feel better from the inside out.
How Acupuncture Supports Digestion
In Chinese Medicine, your gut health is all about balance. The Spleen and Stomach meridian systems (which make up the Earth element, ie our center) are the main players in digestion, and when they’re out of sync, you get symptoms like bloating, sluggish digestion, and discomfort. Acupuncture helps restore this balance by improving the flow of Qi (your body’s energy) and promoting better digestion.
Here’s why acupuncture helps improve GI issues:
Reduces bloating and inflammation. If you constantly feel puffy or uncomfortable after eating, acupuncture helps calm inflammation and get things moving properly.
Keeps you regular. Whether you’re dealing with constipation or diarrhea, acupuncture helps regulate your digestion so things run smoothly.
Relieves stress and supports the gut-brain connection. Ever notice how stress makes your stomach go crazy? Acupuncture relaxes your nervous system, which helps your gut chill out too.
Boosts digestion and nutrient absorption. If your gut isn’t breaking down food properly, you might feel tired or bloated all the time. Acupuncture strengthens your digestive system so you can absorb nutrients better.
Supports your gut microbiome. Your gut bacteria play a huge role in digestion, and acupuncture helps support a healthy microbiome so you feel your best.
Case Study: Acupuncture for Crohn’s Flare-Up
Meet “Sarah”, a 25-year-old woman who has been managing Crohn’s disease with medication for years. One day, she found herself in a stressful situation- her insurance denied her Humira refill due to an error, and she was stuck in limbo waiting for it to be resolved. This unexpected gap in medication triggered a flare-up, leaving her with abdominal pain, bloating and IBS, fatigue, and stress about how her body would handle being without Humira.
While waiting for her prescription, Sarah turned to acupuncture as a way to support her body during this difficult time.
This is how acupuncture helped Sarah:
Calmed inflammation. Acupuncture helped reduce the gut inflammation causing her pain and discomfort.
Supported digestion. We targeted points to strengthen her Spleen and Stomach, improving her digestion and nutrient absorption.
Relieved stress and anxiety. The uncertainty of not having medication was overwhelming, but acupuncture helped her feel grounded and at ease.
Within a few treatments, Sarah felt noticeably better! Her symptoms were more manageable, her stress levels had dropped, and she was able to function while waiting for her medication to be sorted out.
And we received the ULTIMATE message of gratitude from Sarah:
“… I'm so amazed, my symptoms get better every time! I know that was the point and what you suggested.. to come more often… it still just amazes me 😂 especially while being off medication so thank you!!”
ACUPUNCTURE, HERBS, AND CHINESE MEDICINE TO THE RESCUE!
Acupuncture Points That Help Digestion
Some of the most common acupuncture points for gut health include:
ST36 (Zusanli). Known as the “longevity point”, this acupoint on the lower leg is the ultimate digestion booster. Helps with bloating, energy, and gut motility. It’s a heavy hitter for the immune system, and can be very helpful for autoimmune conditions.
CV12 (Zhongwan). Located at the center of the abdomen. this point harmonizes the Stomach and is a go-to for acid reflux and stomach pain. We love this point for treating colic in babies!
SP6 (Sanyinjiao). A powerful point for digestive and hormonal balance, SP6 helps with bloating, anxiety, PMS, and fluid retention. This point is found just above the inner ankle bone.
LI4 (Hegu). This point promotes overall energy flow and helps relieve stress-induced digestive issues and pain. You’re likely familiar with this point, which is located between the thumb and pointer finger and it often used for headache relief.
Acupuncture is amazing, but when paired with Chinese herbal medicine, the results can be even better. Herbs like ginger, licorice root, and tangerine peel help improve digestion, reduce bloating, and support gut balance naturally.
Click here to see our acupressure guide for improved digestion!
Simple Tips to Keep Your Gut Happy
Along with acupuncture, a few lifestyle changes can go a long way:
Eat warm, cooked foods – Your gut loves them (cold foods can slow digestion and weaken the Spleen and Stomach Qi).
Chew your food well – Sounds basic, but it makes a difference!
Manage stress – Acupuncture helps, but so do deep breathing and meditation. Relaxing the Liver Qi improves stress-induced symptoms like IBS and indigestion.
Stay hydrated – Just skip the ice-cold drinks, which can slow digestion. Introduce ginger tea, room temp water, and coconut water, for example.
Ready to feel better?
If your gut’s been giving you trouble, acupuncture might be exactly what you need to reset and feel good again. At Balance Acupuncture, we specialize in holistic treatments that get to the root of your digestive issues.
Book an appointment today and start feeling better from the inside out!
