She came in to the clinic with what one of her doctors said to be “one of the worse cases of acid reflux he had ever seen.” She has tried everything short of surgery that her doctors have recommended – all the antacids and acid blockers, both over the counter and prescription. Nothing seemed to work. She was concerned because even drinking water was causing a severe burning sensation in the back of her throat. She decided to try acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine as a last resort. Upon listening to her story and learning more about her condition, I felt fairly confident that I could be of some help to her. From a Chinese medical perspective, her symptoms formed a pattern known as stagnant liver qi overacting on the stomach. With digestive issues this is a common enough pattern that responds well to treatment. As was expected and to her delight, after less than a handful of acupuncture treatments, a few weeks’ supply of an herbal formula, and some simple changes to her eating habits, she recovered. She no longer felt the burning sensation in the back of her throat, and she started to eat foods again that she usually avoided.

Was this just a fluke or does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have something to offer people who suffer from digestive problems?

There is a growing body of research that is confirming the effectiveness of TCM in treating a wide range of conditions. Regarding digestive issues, published studies indicate that the success of TCM treatments is not just a fluke. A recent study of an herbal remedy involving another common digestive disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), was published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (June, 2004; Issue 24). The study found that 72% of the participants experienced complete relief from their IBS symptoms, while another 18% experienced significant improvement. An earlier study published in the Journal of American Medical Association in November 1998 also supports these findings

With an estimated 62 million Americans a year being diagnosed with digestive disorders, it is not an exaggeration to say that this is one of the most prevalent health problems today. Over 59 billion dollars is spent annually (from over the counter antacids to surgery) to address digestive issues.

From the perspective of TCM, digestive health is the cornerstone of overall health. It is the foundation for the productions of Qi (life energy), blood and all other essential fluids. It also keeps the build up of toxicity from happening. This reflects what we know from Western medicine. When the digestion falters, it affects metabolism, production of energy, elimination of waste and one’s overall sense of well being. Proper digestion keeps the processes of metabolism and waste elimination running smoothly.

According to TCM, the key to digestive health lies not only in what we eat, but how we eat. In modern nutrition, a great deal of emphasis is placed on eating the right foods, but little emphasis is placed on how we eat those foods. Someone eating healthy foods like steamed broccoli and brown rice while they are driving in hectic rush hour traffic is missing the point. Chances are most of the nutrition they would gain from their food is lost because of the body’s inability to properly digest the meal. As the Biblical proverb goes; “It is better to eat a crust of bread in peace than a feast in discord.”

Eating food in a peaceful, regular way is a first step in addressing the epidemic of digestion problems. Acid reflux, chronic halitosis, constipation, chronic diarrhea, cramping, painful gas, and other digestive problems usually do not develop overnight. These symptoms are a sign that something has been disturbing the digestive process for a while. Many of us lead very busy lives and find it hard to fit in a proper meal. We end up eating less than healthy foods on the run. Most of us can get away with this for a while (especially when we are young) but eventually, the ill effects of improper eating and diet will catch up with us.

In working with people with digestive disorders, one of the first things I discuss with them is their eating habits. Oftentimes, clients see little connection between their eating habits and their digestive problems. Making them aware of this connection and guiding them to develop habits that work in their favor is a key first step in helping them in their healing process. Following are some of the guidelines that I share with my clients to help them regain digestive health:

• Restore regularity and order to your eating habits. This means eating at regular mealtimes while sitting down in a quiet peaceful way with either good company or silently with yourself. It is best to avoid eating while reading, watching TV, standing, walking around, driving, or engaging in any other activity.
• Chew your food thoroughly. This is the first step in the digestive process and one of the most important and least considered. Your food should be chewed to a complete mush before you swallow.
• Stop eating 2 ½ to 3 hours before bedtime. Going to bed on a full stomach ensures that the food will not properly digest. Undigested food will eventually cause problems. Also, this allows the digestion system time to rest and restore itself.
• Eat proper portions. Habitually overeating can cause a host of health problems – the main one being obesity. In today’s culture with the ‘Big Gulp’ and the ‘Super Size’, typical portions have grown out of proportion – increasing up to 75% to 100% more than what they were 40 years ago. A rule of thumb for the size of a meal is that the food should comfortably fit inside both hands cupped together. Eating proper portions helps ensure that the digestive system is not overtaxed.
• Do not drink too many fluids with meals – especially iced drinks. Too much fluid washes away digestive enzymes, preventing proper digestion. Also, from the Chinese Medical perspective, iced or cold drinks dampen the ‘fires’ of digestion.

By the time a person experiences chronic symptoms, the disharmony is usually too far along for the above guidelines to be enough. This is when acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help. Through a course of treatment, the body can regain its balance and resolve the symptoms. Clinical experience and increasing scientific evidence show that TCM offers solutions for many of today’s digestive health problems. With acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, chronic, annoying and downright debilitating conditions can be safely and effectively treated. Consulting with a licensed practitioner of Chinese Medicine may be an important next step for recovery of your health.