You want a calm stomach

Digestion is literally at the heart of Chinese Medicine. From the five elements, this is the Earth element that symbolizes uptake, growth and transformation. It thus forms a foundation for health. A healthy digestive system also allows you to build up energy and reserves, which gives your body the strength to solve other complaints as well.

Optimal digestion with acupuncture

Chinese medicine looks at the body functionally: when something works well, there are no complaints. So although a minor complaint is occasionally not so bad, it is important to realize that a balanced digestive system should not cause symptoms.

For the functioning of the digestive system, we look broadly at the spleen, stomach, small and large intestines. The pancreas, liver and gall bladder are also (of course) included in the Chinese image of digestion. Although we often only mention the stomach and intestines explicitly.

Function of the stomach and intestines

The stomach and intestines ensure the absorption of food and nutrients for the whole body and the excretion of waste products. When the digestive system gets out of balance, the following symptoms can occur:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Alternating hard or soft stools
• Blood or mucus when defecating
• Bloated stomach, bubbling
• Flatulence
• Full of feeling
• Feeling hungry, not satiated
• stomach ache
• Feeling like a band around your stomach
• Heartburn
• Nausea, vomiting, foul-smelling breath
• No energy
• Wasty or heavy feeling in the head and/or body.

Consequences for the body

A reduced function of the digestive system causes, firstly, waste products (Vapor) and, secondly, fatigue. Because of this combination, the energy in the intestines stagnates and the digestive system is getting worse at its work. The result is that the body cannot repair itself properly and the symptoms can become chronic.

As mentioned, the function of the intestines is to absorb food and excrete waste products. When this function is impaired, for example with a porous intestinal wall (leaky gut syndrome), waste products can end up anywhere in the body. This explains the wide range of complex complaints that can occur when the digestive system is not in order. This includes:

• Asthma
• Shortness of breath
• Eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis
• Oedema
• Headaches

Many chronic and autoimmune disorders are linked to digestive problems. When waste products accumulate, there is a risk that our immune system will react to it.

Causes

A major cause of digestive problems is the modern lifestyle, we eat in a hurry, eat too much unhealthy or undernourished, too cold, etc. Eating regularly, adding warmth to your diet and taking a walk can help you to relieve many complaints.

Lose weight with acupuncture

As mentioned, waste products are an important element for a healthy digestive system. In Chinese Medicine, fat is seen as the result of accumulated fluids and waste. With the treatment, we ensure that:

Your treatment plan focuses on three important elements:

1. Liver support. The liver plays an important role in both Western medicine and Chinese Medicine in digestion and the breakdown of waste products.
2. Strengthening circulation. This helps to “reach” the areas where there is fat and partly increases the ability to remove and clean it up.
3. Replenishing energy for recovery. When there is enough energy, the body can maintain itself well: waste is no longer left behind and the weight remains more stable.

Together, these are important elements for successful treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

In irritable bowel syndrome, there are a number of factors important for successful treatment. After all, it's about to what extent, with each unique person, there is:

• Liver Qi stagnation (poor circulation, stress sensitivity)
• Too much heat (inflammation)
• Too much waste (phlegm, heaviness or other complaints)

During an extensive intake, we map out your balance so that we can draw up an effective treatment plan.

Also check out our blog about the treatment for irritable bowel.

Nutrition tips for a healthy digestive system

A varied diet, healthy and regular eating are important for good digestion. Mild warmth and fiber are your friends, cold and greasiness your enemies. Below are a few tips for working on a healthy digestive system:

• Eat hot for breakfast, oatmeal is a great start to the day
• Take time to eat in a relaxed and peaceful way
• Drink warm water
• Move daily
• Avoid greasy and fried foods
• Be moderate with dairy
• Be moderate with alcohol
• Add (more) soups to your diet
• Pre- and probiotics can be good support for the intestinal flora and help. Probiotics can be found as supplements or in foods such as sauerkraut, yoghurt, kefir or kombucha
• Use ginger more often
• Talk to your doctor about whether you can stop stomach acid medication

Herbal treatment for digestive problems

In case of digestive problems, the relationship between food and intestines is direct and logical: what we eat is processed via the stomach and intestines and forms the basis for energy and recovery. Chinese Herbs are a natural fit for this, because they work through the digestive system. They can support processes such as digestion, absorption of nutrients and bowel movement. This relieves the digestive system and creates more room for balance and recovery in the body. ‍

Within digestive complaints, we often see recurring patterns, each of which can express themselves in a different way. We distinguish three:

Weakened digestion:

• Bloating after eating
• Fatigue
• Feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
• Loose stools

Stagnation in the digestive system:

• Full of feeling
• Flatulence
• Alternating bowel movements
• Complaints that worsen with stress

Heat or irritation in the gastrointestinal area:

• Heartburn
• Thirst
• Anxiety in the stomach
• Strong smell of stool

By carefully matching Chinese herbs to the pattern that is in the foreground, digestion can be specifically supported and the body gets the chance to regain balance.

Read more

• Read our blog about Dampness.
• Read our blog about heartburn.

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