Acupuncture for stomach issues

[phtgrapher]

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis and just plain ol excess acid.  I have been taking Nexium and Reglan for six months.  My stomach issues are really bothersome.  I used to be able to eat anything and everything.  I have been reading many case studies.  Particularly several cases where people taking stomach meds went for acupunture treatments and then never had to take the meds again.  I know I don't want to take those meds the rest of my life.

My question, Is acupuncture a viable treatment option for stomach issues?

[nomorepain998]

you should consider going on a gluten free diet.  i was diagnosed with IBS and i went on a gluten free diet 2wks ago and i feel like a totally different person.  my son had problems with acid reflux and he is totally better now that he is gluten free

[phtgrapher]

I am in central virginia area.  The acupuncturist ask me to do a food diary, i wondered why cause my diet's never changed and I don't think I have a bad diet.  He looked at it and said it needed to be better.  So that's one thing, but I think I also have a nervous stomach.    But it makes me feel a little bit better that acupuncture might work in this case, because if you were like me enough is enough, something has to be done.  What were your symptoms; maybe they were the same as mine; and did they go away after treatment?

[Pat186]

I have been diagnosed with gastroparesis, I have been having problems for only 5 months. It happened all of the sudden.  I tried reglan but it did not really help and I was sick all of  the time.  In and out of the hospital, not being able to hold anything in.  I recently started going to an acupunturist who has helped me a lot.  I have only been in his office 4 times and I no longer have all of the side effects from the gastroparesis.  I am eating very little though because he says that it will probably take a few months to be ok and make my stomach work... I need to be patient.  He tells me that he will take care of my problem and so far, he has helped a bunch in only 4 visits.  He has also given me some herbs that I take three times a day.  I trully believe in my acupunturist becaus I am seing the difference.  I no longer feel sick!   Mine is in the Los Angeles area though. Where are you?    

[CalGal]

Acupuncture may help, so it might be worth it to try. Whether or not it will cure can be very individual.

The gastric pacemaker actully 'plugs into' the points on the stomach that the 'standard' formula points for delayed stomach emptying uses - there are 2 specifc ones. If I'm not mistaken, someone at some point had to have been undergoing acupuncture and have learned about the meridans and channels and translated it into the gastric pacemaker - same points for neural stimulation.

If you go to an acupuncturist and it seems to work, ask if they'll place the 'little metal buttons' for you to use between treatments - can be used for acupressure.

[GhostOf1901]

To answer your question: Yes, it is. Will it cure the problem? No way to say, since you have to find the root cause and treat that. In many cases, there is no way to fix the issue, though there are ways of working so it doesn't get worse. The key here is to be your own best advocate, look for information, try things, and track results. You can be your own best doctor--and will always certainly be your best advocate--but only if you work using the expertise of those who you ask to treat you.

[lady95]

i have had stomach problems for 5 years now taking all kinds of meds that don't work  still feeling sick on the stomach so i don't blame you when you don't want to take all those  meds

[Thypatient]

Just a thought based on my own experiences...

My concerns in doing something like that is that it might by-pass or mask what's really going on.  That is, if there is indeed something else.

I had stomach woes for many years that turned out to be from a tumor on one of my glands.  Constantly just focusing on my stomach and the temporary relief I would find here and there always sidetracked any further investigation.

Good luck.

[cici007]

I don't blame you. For a short-term fix, try ginger root juice to help with acid problems. Longer term, you might want to consider aiming to alkalize your body's pH by eating better less acid-forming food choices. Google acid-forming food list and following the alkaline side of the chart for at least two weeks. Also consider upping your fiber intake and walking daily.