Acupuncture for Digestive Disorders

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat various health conditions, including digestive disorders. In recent years, researchers have conducted numerous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the UK, US, and EU to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating digestive disorders. This article will review the RCT findings and discuss how acupuncture can help patients with various digestive disorders.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in 2013 found that acupuncture was superior to a placebo in reducing GERD symptoms. The researchers concluded that acupuncture could be considered as an alternative therapy for patients with GERD.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common digestive disorder characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. Several RCTs have investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating IBS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in 2012 found that acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture in improving IBS symptoms. Another RCT published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2012 found that acupuncture was significantly more effective than sham acupuncture in improving IBS symptoms. Moreover, a recent meta-analysis of RCTs published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2020 found that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment for IBS.

Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is a condition in which the upper digestive tract is unable to digest food properly, resulting in symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and stomach pain. A meta-analysis of RCTs published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2018 found that acupuncture had a statistically significant effect on reducing symptoms of functional dyspepsia. Another RCT published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2013 found that acupuncture was superior to a placebo in improving functional dyspepsia symptoms.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms associated with various digestive disorders, such as motion sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and morning sickness during pregnancy. A randomised, sham-controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2009 found that acupuncture was more effective than sham acupuncture in reducing nausea and dry heaving in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D)

IBS-D is a type of IBS characterised by frequent loose stools and urgency. An RCT published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2015 found that acupuncture was more effective than a sham acupuncture control in reducing IBS symptoms, including diarrhoea, in patients with IBS-D. Another RCT published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2018 found that acupuncture was effective in improving quality of life and reducing bowel movements in patients with IBS-D.

While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of acupuncture for digestive disorders, the current evidence suggests that acupuncture may be effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with GERD, IBS, functional dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, and IBS-D. If you are considering acupuncture as a treatment for your digestive disorder, it is important to seek the services of a trained and accredited acupuncturist to ensure safe and effective care.

At Acupuncture Medicine South Melbourne, we are a team of fully trained and accredited acupuncturists who are passionate about providing safe and evidence-based care

References:

1. Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. (2015). Annals of Internal Medicine, 163(8), 604-613. doi: 10.7326/M15-0030
2. Acupuncture for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. (2018). World Journal of Gastroenterology, 24(4), 456-466. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i4.456
3.  Acupuncture for gastroesophageal reflux disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (2013). American Journal of Gastroenterology, 108(3), 352-361. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2012.434
4. Acupuncture for functional dyspepsia: A randomized controlled trial. (2013). European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 25(10), 1186-1194. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e328363656f
5. MacPherson H, et al. Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2012;156(10): 658-666. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-156-10-201205150-00004
6. Lee JH, et al. Acupuncture for gastroesophageal reflux disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(46): 8304-8313. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8304
7. Liu Z, et al. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the management of functional dyspepsia: A meta-analysis. World J Gastroenterol. 2018;24(23): 2643-2655. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i23.2643
8. Xu J, et al. Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med. 2020;26(9): 792-804. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0451