Can Ancient methods help your Gut problems?

Chinese medicine has been screaming from the mountain tops for thousands of years about the profound relevance of the gut to overall health, and the connection between how your mind/psychology affects your gut and how your gut affects your mind (GUT-BRAIN AXIS). The recent, ongoing discoveries into the gut-brain axis are well described in Chinese medicine, albeit using very different concepts and language. Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are well known for their potentially beneficial effects on our state of health.

The benefit of herbs for your gut health

Let’s take a look at just one herb that is commonly used in herbal formulas, REISHI MUSHROOM. One study showed that Reishi may reduce obesity and alleviate inflammation by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity. Reishi is amazing at also boosting general energy and helping with adrenal issues too, but don’t go running out just yet to by this herb, as it is usually used in combination with other herbs, dietary and lifestyle advice. There are plenty more herbs like Reishi that give hope that we don’t always have to resort to taking harsh medications to help resolve our digestive issues.

How can Acupuncture help my digestive issues?

Looking at yet another study, Acupuncture was also shown to help regulate our internal bugs. A study on the effects of acupuncture on gut bacteria showed that beneficial bugs Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium increased after treatment, but potentially harmful bacteria including Bacteroides and Clostridium perfringens, decreased. Most of us now know about taking probiotics or eating fermented foods to help keep our good bacteria happy and thriving but now we know that Acupuncture can also help facilitate this even further while keeping the bad bacteria low.

The benefits don’t end there, for those who suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), Acupuncture has been shown to be effectively and clinically relevant in the management of IBS symptoms.  One of the proposed mechanisms for this is by way of its effect on serotonin pathways – Serotonin is both a feel-good neurotransmitter and is important for gut health and motility. Are you starting to see the connection and benefits yet?

Gut-Brain Axis

This axis involves chemical signals that occur in your gastrointestinal tract and your nervous system. Studies are showing the intestinal microbiota are particularly influential here, communicating with the brain via several physiological pathways. Our bodies are one interconnected system and over time we have become so detached, however, we are slowly starting to get more research come out that proves that nothing really works independently but instead, we are this big interwoven complex machine, “you are only as strong as your weakest link”, this saying could not be truer when applied to the human body. How amazing do you feel mentally or emotionally when you have a stomach bug that gives you Gastro? How many times have you reached for that comforting ice cream or sugar fix when you’re feeling down? Or maybe you lost your appetite after a stressful event or argument.

 

Do you want to find out how your emotions affect your gut health? or how your gut health affects your day to day emotions and productivity?

Give the clinic a call today and find out how we can help: (03) 9533 2925

 


Find Out More About Acupuncture

Dr Peter Mejia

TCM/Acupuncture

Muscle And Bone Clinic

8 Chatham St Prahran

www.muscle-boneclinic.com.au