Digestive Issues
Digestive complaints are one of the most common reasons patients walk through my door. I’m Joseph Alban, a Doctor of Acupuncture with over 20 years of practice. My approach draws on a clinical rotation at a hospital in Changsha, China, where I trained under senior TCM physicians across acupuncture, tui na, internal medicine, and dermatology. Chinese medicine has treated digestive complaints for centuries using a framework that looks at the gut as connected to sleep, stress, energy levels, and overall balance in the body, not an isolated system to treat on its own.
Digestive disorders affect an estimated 70 million Americans. many trace back to chronic stress, disrupted gut-brain signaling, or long-standing imbalances. Acupuncture works by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases blood flow to the digestive organs, supports enzyme production, and helps regulate motility. Research, including reviews cited by the World Health Organization, supports acupuncture as a safe and effective option for a range of digestive conditions.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis both involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, and patients often come to acupuncture looking for a complementary approach to manage flares, pain, and the toll long-term inflammation takes on the body.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is one of the most common reasons patients seek out acupuncture for digestive support, whether symptoms lean toward constipation, diarrhea, or an unpredictable mix of both.
Constipation & Gastroparesis
Both constipation and gastroparesis involve disrupted gut motility, whether that means things are moving too slowly or not at all. Acupuncture’s effect on gastric peristalsis makes it a natural fit for this category.
Pregnancy-Related Digestive Issues
Nausea and digestive upset are among the most common pregnancy complaints, and acupuncture offers a drug-free option that’s safe throughout pregnancy.
If you don’t see your specific concern listed, call us at 212-319-5757 to talk about whether acupuncture can help.
Feedback From our clients…
“I’ve had IBS for years. My gastro symptoms were getting serious and my gastroenterologist was out of ideas. Coming to this clinic was a WONDERFUL experience. After a few months, my gut is feeling better than it has in YEARS. I think I still have a bit to go, but I’ve experienced better improvements doing acupuncture with Joe than I have with anything else I’ve tried. I recommend him very highly.”
~ Review from From Yelp