Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for Digestive Disorders
Struggling with digestive issues like IBS, acid reflux, bloating and constipation? These issues are extremely common and can be uncomfortable and disruptive to everyday life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to address many of these conditions. At East Melbourne Acupuncture we use a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs and dietary advice to restore balance and improve your gut health.
Digestive Conditions We Commonly See
At East Melbourne Acupuncture we offer individualised treatment plans for various digestive conditions, including:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Chronic Constipation
Diarrhoea
Reflux, Heartburn, GERD
Gastritis
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Abdominal pain and bloating
How Chinese Medicine Understands Digestion
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), good digestion is the cornerstone of overall health. Poor digestion is commonly recognised as a root cause – or a major contributing factor – in a wide range of health conditions, including those not immediately linked to the digestive system.
Ancient Chinese Medicine philosophy believes that the digestive system is primarily managed by the Spleen and Stomach systems. In more modern terms, these systems incorporate the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, liver and gall bladder. These work together to convert food and drink into Qi (nutrients or energy) that powers your body.
When there’s an imbalance in these systems you may experience:
Bloating
Constipation or diarrhoea
Reflux or indigestion
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Poor diet, chronic stress and environmental factors can all disrupt the formation and flow of Qi, leading to digestive issues
Acupuncture’s Role in Digestive Health
Acupuncture is believed to regulate the flow of Qi and restore balance in the body’s organ systems. Through restoring the balance of the Spleen, Stomach and other digestive organs, acupuncture may reduce common symptoms like bloating, reflux, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhoea.
Recent research (1,2) suggests that acupuncture may influence gastrointestinal function by:
Stimulating digestive function and modulating gastric acid secretion
Regulating gastrointestinal motility and bowel movements
Reducing inflammation
Easing internal (visceral) pain and discomfort
Alleviating stress-related symptoms
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Digestive Disorders
TCM herbal medicine plays a central role in restoring digestive balance. Herbal formulas carefully combine multiple herbs and are designed to alleviate symptoms through treating the root cause of the condition.
Depending on the TCM diagnosis, herbs are selected to:
Warm and strengthen the Spleen and Stomach
Clear Dampness or Heat
Move Liver Qi stagnation (often linked to stress-related IBS or nausea)
Commonly used herbs include:
Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome or Chinese Yam) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) – support Spleen Qi to strengthen digestion and reduce bloating
Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) – warms to middle burner (spleen and stomach) to enhance digestion and alleviate nausea
Chen Pi (aged mandarin peel) – regulates qi and support digestion
Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) – reduces heat, aids acid reflux and supports microbial balance
Fan Xie Ye (Senna leaf) – breaks up stagnation, clears heat and relieves constipation
Chinese herbal formulae are tailored to each person’s condition.
Always consult a qualified Chinese herbal medicine practitioner for advice before taking any Chinese herbs or formula.
Chinese Medicine Dietary Therapy: Food as Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, diet is considered one of the most important tools for healing the digestive system. While Western medicine often focuses on macronutrients and calories, TCM emphasises the properties of different foods, for example the flavour (sweet, salty, bitter), the colour (eating a rainbow) and the temperature (eg. chilli’s are hot, watermelon is cold). How the food is prepared is also key, as are the unique needs of individuals, such as food intolerances and allergies.
Here are some core TCM tips to help support digestion:
Eat warm, cooked foods – avoid raw foods and cold meals, these are thought to weaken the Spleen and slow digestion. Soups, stews, congee and steamed vegetables are gentle on the gut
Avoid foods that produce Damp – Dampness is a pathogenic factor in Chinese medicine, often contributing to bloating, sluggish digestion and loose bowel movements. Avoid fried foods, sugar, icy cold drinks and excessive amount of dairy.
Eat at regular times - Skipping meals or eating erratically can disrupt the Stomach Qi. TCM recommends eating at consistent times and chewing thoroughly.
Balance flavours and temperatures – Include a mix of colours and flavours in every meal. For example, a stir fry including the sweetness of carrots and beans, pungent onions and garlic, the bitterness of kale and the warmth of beef, with gently nourishing brown rice. Yum!
During your treatment at East Melbourne Acupuncture we discuss dietary recommendations that align with your TCM diagnosis and enhance the effects of acupuncture and herbs.
References:
1. Li X, Liu S, Liu H, Zhu JJ. Acupuncture for gastrointestinal diseases. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2023 Dec;306(12):2997-3005
2. Wang L, Luo X, Qing X, Fang S, Jiang T, Wang Q, Zhong Z, Yang Y, Yang J, Song G, Su X, Wei W. Symptom effects and central mechanism of acupuncture in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. BMC Gastroenterol. 2024 Jan 24;24(1):47.
Begin Your Journey to Digestive Wellness
If you’re experiencing digestive discomfort or a chronic gut condition, consider exploring the effects of Chinese Medicine. At East Melbourne Acupuncture we take the time to understand your body and create a plan that works for you.