May 2011 All Ways Well Newsletter

In This Issue:
**Acupuncture to Treat Heartburn
--2005 Taiwanese Study showed promise
--Pregnancy Related Heartburn, big relief!
**Thanks for Tuning In!  Book On-lineAnytime!---------------------
Acupuncture to Treat Heartburn
The first thing most people think of when they hear Acupuncture is "pain treatment" which is quite accurate - most of the western research on acupuncture's efficacy has been done on acupuncture for pain relief and acupuncture has proven to be quite effective in this area.  Acupuncture has the ability to treat a wide range of disorders, however, from neck pain, back pain, abdominal pain, menstrual pain and headaches to menstrual irregularities, injury and surgery recover, anxiety, stress, insomnia, irritable bowel and even heartburn.

Heartburn and GERD affect approximately1/3rd of people in the US according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and a number of medications are often prescribed with hit or miss success.  In 2005, a Taiwanese studypublished in the American Journal of Physiology, showed that acupuncture treatment at the point NeiGuan (located in center of the forearm a little below the wrist) showed promise for GERD treatment by measurably decreasing spasm in the lower esophageal sphincter (a common contributor to GERD) by 50%.

Heartburn also commonly plagues women during pregnancy as the uterus grows and presses on the stomach.  Acupuncture treatment at the same point mentioned above can be very effective in relieving pregnancy related heartburn in a similar manner and is a safe treatment that cannot harm or adversely affect a pregnancy in any way.

Energetically, heartburn is related to rebellious Qi in the stomach channel and the Chong Mai - an extraordinary meridian involved in pregnancy.  When Qi runs through these channels in the wrong direction and combines with heat in particular, heartburn can occur.  By redirecting and balancing the Qi in these channels using acupuncture, heartburn can be treated.

Chinese herbs can also be very useful in treating heartburn and different presentations of heartburn can be treated with slightly different Chinese herbal formulas.  Here, however, are some common herbal teas that individually or in combination can often present a simple solution to mild heartburn at home:

Peppermint has many well-documented properties: it increases healthy gastric secretions, relaxes the intestines, soothes spasms, settles the stomach, and alleviates gas. 

Ginger, also extensively studied, has been shown to soothe the digestive lining and balance gastric juices. 

Chamomile is another excellent herb for settling the stomach.  You can combine the three herbs, steep them as tea, and drink it at mealtimes.

Thanks for Tuning In!
As usual thanks again for tuning in!  If you are interested in more information about treating heartburn, gastrointestinal disorders or pregnancy related discomforts with acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, please don't hesitate to call or book on-line.  Free 15 minute consultations in person or over the phone are always available which you can book via phone at (503)445-8888 or on-line as well if you have more specific questions.

Looking forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca