In our last blog entry here, we discussed the stressful holiday season and mentioned the endless array of decadent food items that go along with it: turkeys, tenderloins, cakes, cookies, and pies, just to name a few. While delicious and festive, those foods, along with many others we encounter on a daily basis, can wreak havoc on our systems. For some of us, digestive problems strike only occasionally and can be soothed easily with time or an over-the-counter remedy, but many people experience very frustrating chronic pain or discomfort.
Gastrointestinal Grief
The digestive system includes the mouth and salivary glands, stomach, small and large intestines, colon, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a long, muscular tube that works as the food processor for our bodies. With so many sensitive areas, all working to process the food we intake, there is potential for many different problems to occur at some point along the way. Common digestive and gastrointestinal disorders or issues due to anything from diet, stress, smoking, fatigue, or genetics can include:
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Ulcers
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
These problems can range from very straightforward and simple to manage to complex and quite serious. Wherever you are on the spectrum when they are happening to you, any of the symptoms can make it next to impossible to relax and enjoy life or even just the meals you’re eating. Further complicating the issue is that, often times, digestive problems are difficult for physicians to concretely diagnosis.
Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz—Is That the Only Relief There Is?
The pharmacy aisle for over-the-counter digestive and gastrointestinal relief seems a mile long, and of course, there are many prescription remedies too. There is no question that dietary changes can have a big impact on symptom relief, but making these changes involves a lot of trial and error to find which foods are most aggravating to your system.
Along with changes to your diet, consider taking a comprehensive approach that includes acupuncture. While acupuncture is most often thought of for the treatment of joint and muscle pain, the World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective method for rebalancing the digestive system and easing symptoms.
As described from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the body and all of its organs are nourished by Qi (the body’s vital force) and blood. When Qi and/or blood levels are inadequate or blocked from nourishing the digestive system, pain and discomfort result. Acupuncture can stimulate Qi and blood production and can remove blockages from the digestive organs. Acupuncture can also help stimulate the brain, allowing it to release pain- and stress-relieving endorphins. All of these benefits can facilitate healing, helping to alleviate the symptoms of digestive disorders and restore balance to the digestive system.
Don’t continue to suffer with your digestive and gastrointestinal problems, no matter how minor you may feel like they are. Acupuncture can help soothe your stomach and your stress. Please call us at 602-955-5444 to discuss treatment options.
