Research
Update: Acupuncture and Intestinal Health
A study
conducted by researchers at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese
Medicine and published by the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, revealed the possible mechanism by which acupuncture
treats Crohn’s Disease. This mechanism had been previously unknown, although
studies concluded acupuncture and moxibustion can relieve intestinal
inflammation in patients suffering from the disease. This study identified
there are two subsets of T-lymphocytes, Th17 and Treg cells, that are involved
in the development of Crohn’s Disease and that acupuncture and moxibustion can
help restore the balance between the cells, which could lead to a breakthrough
in treatment of the disease.
More than 95
million Americans suffer from some sort of digestive disorder. This includes
diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, Crohn’s disease
and ulcerative colitis. There is evidence suggesting many of the ailments
affecting the digestive system are occurring because of increased pesticides,
artificial colorings, additives and preservatives that are being found in our
food. Also the overuse of antibiotics
has led to an epidemic in the United States that is actually killing the healthy
intestinal bacteria that is needed to keep the body functioning properly.
TCM has been
used to treat digestive disorders for centuries. According to Chinese medical
theory, most digestive disorders are caused by a disharmony of the spleen and
stomach. The spleen plays a vital role in the health of the body and it helps
to assimilate the nutrients from the food that we ingest. The spleen turns digested food from the
stomach into vital energy that is known as Qi (pronounced “chee’).
More and more
scientific data is coming out that shows the gut is acting like a second brain.
The ability of the gastrointestinal system to constantly transform us is being
studied extensively. Specifically the bacteria within the gastrointestinal
tract is a major focus. The project known as the Human Microbiome Project may
have a lot to teach us about our bodies and also how we utilize medicine. This
project is confirming that microscopic bacteria colonies within the digestive
tract play important roles for both our mental and physical health. The project
is confirming that when we nourish these bacterial colonies, we also nourish
our bodies.
Research
shows we can actually reshape and repopulate damaged bacterial colonies within
the gastrointestinal tract. This can be accomplished by tonifying the spleen
and stomach during regular acupuncture sessions. One such way to do this is by
using a point along the stomach meridian in every single acupuncture treatment.
Stomach 36 is a wonderful tonifying point that can help with nearly every
intestinal issue. But in addition to utilizing regular acupuncture treatments,
acupuncturists can provide dietary supplements and herbs that may help, such as
probiotics. Also recommending foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha may be
helpful in repopulating the gut flora.
If you deal
with gastrointestinal issues, acupuncture and TCM can be of benefit to you.
Just be sure to locate a fully trained and properly licensed acupuncturist for
all of your health and wellness needs.
New York Sports Acupuncture
Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM
888.375.5444
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