Acupuncture Digestion Research
Digestive issues are commonly treated with acupuncture, as it can help to regulate the digestive system and improve the overall functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Some specific conditions that acupuncture may be helpful for include:
Acid reflux:
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2019 found that acupuncture was effective in reducing the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and improving quality of life in patients with the condition.
Shi YK, et al. Acupuncture for gastroesophageal reflux disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2019; 34(9):1539-1548.
Nausea and vomiting:
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine in 2018 found that acupuncture was effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Zhang Z, et al. Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2018; 20:101-111.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2018 found that acupuncture was effective in reducing symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
Liu Z, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2018; 24(21):4728-4739.
Constipation:
A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018 found that acupuncture was effective in treating chronic constipation and improving bowel function.
Fang J, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture on chronic constipation: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2018; 38(4):507-514.
Gastritis:
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2020 found that acupuncture was effective in reducing symptoms of gastritis, including pain and inflammation.
Wu T, et al. Acupuncture for gastritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2020; 26(3):179-188.
Ulcerative colitis:
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis in 2018 found that acupuncture was effective in reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis and improving overall quality of life.
Zhou Y, et al. Acupuncture for ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis. 2018; 12(10):1173-1183.
