Acupuncture for Gastroparesis
Acupuncture for Gastroparesis
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be very effective for improving gastric motility and the treatment of constipation.
Gastroparesis is a disorder of the stomach that causes vomiting and nausea. Acupuncture can help alleviate many of the symptoms of gastroparesis. Acupuncture is a non-invasive and very safe treatment.
One way acupuncture helps gastrointestinal disorders is by stimulating the vagus nerve. This nerve runs from the brain through the heart and lungs to the abdomen and controls digestion.
Acupuncture also stimulates the flow of blood in the digestive system and releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers. These endorphins tell the brain to tell the stomach to function better.
Many research studies have shown that acupuncture and electroacupuncture stimulate gastric motility and can be helpful for gastropariesis.
I like to say that acupuncture resets the nervous system and brings it back to balance. This is a way of “waking up” the nerves in your digestive tract and reminding your brain how to communicate with the gut
A recent study summarized the clinical evidence for acupuncture treatment of gastroparesis. It shows that acupuncture has a significant effect on reducing gastric retention and symptoms. Patients with gastroparesis have abnormally reduced gastric motility without the physical obstruction of the bowel. Acupuncture can influence bowel motility through various mechanisms, including neural reflexes. The study also found that patients with gastroparesis responded better to acupuncture than those receiving conventional treatment.
What Acupuncture Points Can be Used for Gastroparesis?
Using acupuncture to treat gastroparesis can help relieve gastric retention and improve symptoms. Studies have shown that acupuncture has a positive effect on gastric motility. One study found that acupuncture to ST36 and PC6 normalized gastric slow waves and increased spike bursts. The researchers reported that the treatments significantly reduced the symptoms of gastroparesis, and that gastric emptying was accelerated.
Electrical stimulation of specific acupuncture points may also help control the symptoms of gastroparesis. In one study, electrical stimulation of certain gastrointestinal acupoints controlled the symptoms of gastroparesis in people with type 2 diabetes.
Some of the most effective acupuncture points are ST 36 , Ren 10, And St 25 on the abdomen.
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment
Acupuncture helps not only improve digestion but also improves your energy and removes inflammation from the body.
Regulating gastric motility can help in many digestive conditions include Irritable Bowel Syndrome and constipation.