One condition that Western medicine often has trouble addressing is bloating. Many people, especially women, find that they become bloated after eating – or even sometimes all throughout the day. This can be uncomfortable and also embarrassing! A gastroenterologist may run tests and find everything looks “normal.” So, what are you to do?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are one avenue to address bloating. There are several main reasons that bloating happens:
- Overgrowth of certain strains of bacteria in the small intestine
- Too much stress
- Improper diet and/or food allergies
If you have an overgrowth of bacteria, known as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), your western medical practitioner may be able to detect it using a breath test which measures the proportion of hydrogen and methane in your exhaled breath. If you are confirmed to have SIBO it can often be treated or at least managed with antibiotics and often diet changes.
If your bloating is due to excess stress or an improper diet (including food allergies), Chinese herbs and acupuncture can help! Chinese medicine understands that we each have unique bodies with unique demands, and using the Chinese medical diagnosis framework, a practitioner can help you figure out which types of foods may be more appropriate for your body.
While we know generally what types of foods are better for human health (e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and some fish and meat if desired), each person’s body will work better with a different combination and type of food. Some people seem to need more protein, others seem to do better with more fats or carbs. Some people are allergic to things like dairy, gluten, corn, and soy, and others can tolerate all these foods. Some people need to eat all cooked foods, with warming spices, while others feel better with more fresh or raw foods.
Acupuncture can support the digestive system by increasing peristalsis (movement through the digestion tract) and decreasing blockages (food accumulation in the digestive tract). Chinese herbs can support peristalsis, remove blockages, and may also help the intestines absorb foods more fully. All of these activities can help reduce intestinal bloating.
Lastly, if your bloating is due to stress, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help the nervous system to relax. It is very common for stress to overwhelm the digestive system, making proper absorption difficult. Through work with your practitioner, you will also learn ways to decrease stress in your life and also to eat in ways that are more supportive for your lifestyle (less eating on the go, not eating while experiencing strong emotions, and other tips).
If you’re struggling with bloating, consider setting up a consultation with a Chinese medicine practitioner to help you get back to feeling normal!
