How Acupuncture Works to Improve Acid Reflux

How Acupuncture Works to Improve Acid Reflux

It’s been a long time since you’ve enjoyed a meal thanks to acid reflux. You’re far from alone — about 20% of the population in the United States has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is an ongoing condition that features acid reflux as the primary symptom.

You’ve limited the foods you eat, you take medications, but you’re still struggling with acid reflux, which can damage your throat if the condition isn’t quieted.

Here to provide the missing piece to your acid reflux treatment puzzle is the team of certified acupuncturists here at Family Wellness Acupuncture. Even though acupuncture can improve your health and wellness in many ways, it so happens that gastrointestinal problems like acid reflux are one of them.

Let’s take a look at how this ancient practice can improve your gut health and make you more comfortable.

Acupuncture and your digestive tract

Did you know that your gut is often credited with having a second brain? Called the enteric nervous system, this nerve center is in constant communication with your brain to regulate your digestive system.

With acupuncture, we access certain acupressure points in your body to encourage better communication between the cells and chemicals in your gut and in your brain. We also reduce stress through acupuncture, which can be a primary culprit behind acid reflux in many people.

In Chinese terms, we’re enabling a better flow of qi, or energy, that helps to optimize function in your body. In terms of your gut, this free flow of resources will help control the amount of stomach acid your body produces for digestion and keep it where it belongs — in your stomach,  not in your throat.

Beyond acupuncture

In addition to acupuncture, we also recommend certain herbs that facilitate digestion and ease acid reflux. This is an integral part of our practice, and these herbs can work wonders in soothing your gut and ensuring better balance.. 

In fact, one study concluded that acupuncture and herbs were more effective than drug therapy in treating acid reflux, both in the short- and long-term. To put some numbers to this, researchers reported an 89.7% efficacy rate for using acupuncture plus herbs in treating acid reflux. As well, acupuncture plus herbs had a lower relapse rate at the six-month mark than drug therapy — 21.7% versus 45.5%.

If you’re tired of being held hostage by your acid reflux and you’d like solutions that extend beyond drugs and missing out on your favorite foods, it’s time to try acupuncture.

To improve your gut health for better overall wellness, please contact our office in Irvine, California, to schedule your acupuncture appointments today.

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