Acupuncture for Digestive Support

Chinese Medicine is a holistic healthcare system that treats the mind, body, and spirit to balance the body. Your Acupuncturist will ask about sleep, energy levels, and digestion, even if you are only in for back pain. Your Acupuncture Physician will also discuss diet, lifestyle, and habits to offer the best holistic care.  

Food therapy is considered an essential part of Chinese Medicine. Dietary guidance fills the deficiency gaps your Acupuncturist discovers through diagnostic tools such as observing the tongue and palpating the pulse. Even the father of modern Medicine, Hippocrates, said: "let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food."

When evaluating symptoms, your Acupuncture Physician observes the tongue, complexion, hair, and nails, asks questions about digestive symptoms, and palpates the abdomen and pulse. 

Signs that your digestive system is not functioning adequately include:

-Fatigue

-Loose Stools

-Frequent Bowel Movements

-Diarrhea

-Constipation

-Gas

-Abdominal Bloating

-Stomach Aches

-Acid Reflux

-Stomach/Bowel Movement Pain

After a balancing acupuncture treatment, your Acupuncturist will discuss your eating habits, diet, food quality, and any emotional stress or worry tied to eating.  

Some diet and lifestyle recommendations include:

-Adding in organic, fresh cooked vegetables over frozen or canned.

-Keeping a food journal to learn triggers causing digestive upset.

-Eliminating food triggers. Common irritants include sugar, gluten, and dairy.

-Reducing cold, raw foods such as salads and smoothies, and ice water as they slow digestion.

-Addressing cooking methods, cookware, and recipes.

-Figure out a realistic exercise plan for digestive function.

-Proper hydration for smooth digestion.

-Mindful movement and meditation exercises for emotional and stress support.

-Acupuncture treatments to manage symptoms and balance the body.

-Herbal Medicine for digestive support.

Congee Recipe to Support Digestion

Traditionally known as rice water, Congee is a staple breakfast food in East Asia. The simple rice soup nourishes "Qi," life-force energy and blood, and harmonizes digestion. Although white rice is the most common congee grain, millet, spelt, pearl barley, or quinoa can be used.

Cook the rice and water in a covered pot for 4-6 hours on warm (crockpots are great!). Use more water than less, and note that the longer the congee cooks, the more potent it becomes.

Once your base is ready, you can add any seasoning, spices, veggies, or sweeteners you like.

Basic Congee Recipe:

1 cup rice or preferred grain

6-8 cups of water or broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Sweet breakfast congee: add cinnamon, honey, goji berries, and black sesame seeds

Savory Congee: add fresh cooked root veggies, lean protein or beans, grated ginger, and scallions.

If you are looking for an Acupuncturist in Sarasota for Digestive Support, please get in touch with Dr. Jen to schedule a consultation.