Location: Lafayette, CA
Article (400 words):
GLP-1 agonist medications have been a godsend for many people – reducing weight, reducing distracting food noise, reducing blood sugar levels, and in some cases reducing inflammation and stabilizing menstrual cycles. All these changes make truly measurable differences in people’s lives!
However, for many GLP-1 medication users these improvements come at a cost – several days of nausea, reflux, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and/or fatigue after the injections.
Thankfully acupuncture and herbal medicine can mitigate many of these gastrointestinal (GI) and systemic side effects.
When we consume food, it should move downward gradually until the food is absorbed and the waste is excreted. Chinese medicine sees nausea, vomiting, and reflux as a reversal in energy such that food and other substances are moving upwards instead of downwards. Acupuncture is particularly helpful in helping the digestion flow in its proper direction – heading down, down, down until the digestive process is complete. Additionally, herbal medicine can be used to reduce inflammation in the upper digestive tract, help with breakdown of food, and ease symptoms of nausea. These herbs are particularly helpful as they can be taken 2-4 times daily to reduce these uncomfortable symptoms.
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for Lower GI Symptoms
The lower GI system impacts from GLP-1 medications come from two main changes – intestinal slowing, and/or changes in fluid secretion into the intestines.
For those struggling with constipation, the GI tract has slowed down substantially so that bowel movements take much longer to produce. They can also be harder, denser, and drier due to the extra time spent in the large intestine. Acupuncture is an excellent modality for increasing peristalsis (movement of the digestive tract) to help counteract the digestive slowdown that occurs with GLP-1 medications.
For those dealing with looser stools and diarrhea, acupuncture can be used to help reduce the excess fluids in the digestive tract. Herbal medicine can also be particularly helpful in this case to drain excess fluids from the stool.
Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Herbal Medicine for Fatigue
Fatigue due to GLP-1 medications can have many causes. For those cases where the fatigue is due to metabolic changes, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion (application of a strengthening herb near the skin) can make a substantial difference in overall exhaustion.
If you’re taking GLP-1 medications but struggling with the side effects, begin your acupuncture journey with Inspire Family Acupuncture in order to feel stronger and clearer throughout the week. We look forward to working with you!
