Discover How Ancient Acupuncture Wisdom Can Offer Hope for Modern Gastroparesis Sufferers
Living with gastroparesis can feel like a constant battle against your own digestive system. This challenging condition, characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the stomach, affects thousands of people who struggle with symptoms including feeling full very soon after starting to eat, feeling uncomfortably full after eating, nausea, regurgitation, sickness, and bloating. While conventional treatments exist, many patients are turning to traditional Chinese medicine, specifically acupuncture, as a complementary approach to managing their symptoms.
Understanding Gastroparesis: More Than Just Slow Digestion
Gastroparesis occurs when the muscles of the stomach aren’t working properly, resulting in slowed transit of food from the stomach into the intestines. The underlying cause of gastroparesis is dysfunction of the nerves responsible for gastric motility. Nerve dysfunction of the stomach can be caused by a variety of conditions, the most common ones being diabetes, post-viral sequelae, post-surgical complications, side effects of cancer treatment and nervous system diseases like Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis.
The condition significantly impacts quality of life, with symptoms of delayed gastric emptying include early satiety, post-prandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, belching and a feeling of fullness or distension above the belly button. In severe cases there can be weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Beyond physical symptoms, the psychological ones can be devastating.
The Promise of Acupuncture for Gastroparesis
Traditional Chinese medicine views gastroparesis through a different lens than Western medicine. Acupuncture is a good modality for helping to relieve gastroparesis symptoms, because it works on the nervous system, to help restore the proper signaling to muscles. Research has shown promising results, with acupuncture is an effective method for the treatment of gastroparesis. The combination of Zhongwan (CV 12) with Zusanli (ST 36) showed the most promising effect on relief of the symptoms in patients with gastroparesis.
One compelling case study demonstrated the potential of acupuncture treatment. The patient reported significant improvement in symptomatic relief after acupuncture and herbal treatments within 5 visits. The frequency of nausea was significantly diminished by the fourth visit. Energy levels, emotional symptoms, constipation, and abdominal distention were improved over the course of treatment. Most remarkably, before treatment, gastric emptying was 25% at 2 hours and 69% at 4 hours. After treatment, gastric emptying was 84% at 2 hours and 100% at 4 hours.
How Acupuncture Works for Gastroparesis
The therapeutic mechanisms behind acupuncture’s effectiveness for gastroparesis involve several key acupuncture points. ST36 on the ST meridian, CV12 on the CV meridian and PC6 on the PC meridian were the most frequently adopted acupoints, and all three acupoints play an important role in regulating stomach function. It has been reported that acupuncturing at ST36 can contract muscles, regulate gastric rhythm and improve gastric emptying delay by stimulating the parasympathetic nerves to treat gastroparesis.
These specific points work through different pathways: Zusanli (ST 36) is an acupuncture point on stomach meridian (ST), which is the He-Sea acupoint and Lower He-Sea acupoint of stomach meridian (ST). Therefore, Zusanli (ST 36) is a common acupuncture point for the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Meanwhile, Neiguan (PC 6) is the acupuncture point on the pericardium meridian (PC), which are not only the Luo-Connective acupoints but also the Eight Confluence Points and the Intersection Points. It is located at the distal end of the upper extremity and can be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as stomach pain, vomiting, and hiccups.
What to Expect from Acupuncture Treatment
For those considering acupuncture for gastroparesis, understanding the treatment process is important. A recommended course of acupuncture treatment for gastroparesis usually involves eight to twelve sessions. We recommend coming in one to two times per week for the first month, often finding it appropriate to transition to sessions every other week as treatment progresses. However, while some people experience significant improvement immediately, it is important to understand nerve healing is a slow and complex process. Patience and diligence are an essential part of any course of treatment.
Think Acupuncture: Your Partner in Digestive Wellness
For Long Island residents seeking professional acupuncture treatment for gastroparesis, Think Acupuncture offers comprehensive care that combines traditional wisdom with modern understanding. We’re committed to helping you achieve your best health. With convenient locations in Huntington and Ronkonkoma, we’re dedicated to offering safe, drug-free solutions to address a variety of health concerns.
What sets Think Acupuncture apart is their holistic approach to patient care. Think Acupuncture blends ancient traditional wisdom and modern scientific research to provide the highest level of clinical care possible. Our Long Island Acupuncture team is comprised of New York State Licensed Acupuncturists holding the highest training in the state. Additionally, our acupuncturists are nationally board certified in both acupuncture and Chinese Herbology.
Their comprehensive approach includes We collaborate with your doctors, specialists, health care providers, and treatment providers to provide complete holistic care. We understand your condition and concerns to provide effective treatment. For those in the Westbury area specifically, westbury acupuncture services are readily accessible as part of their commitment to serving the broader Long Island community.
The Evidence and Considerations
While research shows promise, it’s important to understand the current state of evidence. Despite there being a small reported effect, we are uncertain about any benefit of acupuncture for symptomatic gastroparesis in the short term, when used alone or added to other treatments for gastroparesis (gastrokinetics, other medicines, or ‘routine care’), due to the evidence being of very low certainty. There is no information to help understand any long‐term benefits of acupuncture.
However, many patients find value in acupuncture as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Acupuncture treatment can help relieve gastroparesis symptoms without side effects or invasive procedures. If you suspect you have gastroparesis, it’s important to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist and receive confirmation of your diagnosis before beginning a course of treatment.
Taking the Next Step
Living with gastroparesis doesn’t have to mean accepting a diminished quality of life. Traditional Chinese medicine, particularly acupuncture, offers a time-tested approach that may complement your existing treatment plan. The combination of ancient wisdom and modern clinical understanding provides hope for those seeking alternatives to conventional gastroparesis management.
If you’re considering acupuncture for gastroparesis, working with experienced, licensed practitioners is essential. Think Acupuncture’s commitment to Traditional Chinese and Japanese acupuncture recognizes that many times aches, pains and other discomforts are only symptoms of a deeper underlying health problem. Therefore, a comprehensive diagnosis is complied, which takes into account the individual’s body, mind, and spirit ensures that your treatment addresses not just symptoms, but underlying imbalances that may be contributing to your condition.
The journey to better digestive health may require patience and persistence, but with the right support and treatment approach, many patients find significant relief from their gastroparesis symptoms through acupuncture therapy.