When Your Digestive System Signals Distress
Stomach and duodenal ulcers—open sores in the lining of the digestive tract—can cause burning pain, nausea, bloating, and discomfort after eating. Many people experience sharp or gnawing pain, especially when hungry or at night.
Ulcers can develop from stress, chronic inflammation, Helicobacter pylori infections, excessive stomach acid, or long-term NSAID use. Persistent symptoms can interfere with eating, sleep, and overall quality of life, highlighting the need for supportive care alongside conventional treatment.
TCM’s Perspective on Ulcers
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ulcers arise from disharmony between the Stomach, Liver, and Spleen, leading to internal Heat, stagnation, and deficiency. Common patterns include:
Liver invading the Stomach: Stress, frustration, or emotional tension causes sharp epigastric pain, acid reflux, and a “knotted” feeling.
Stomach Heat or Fire: Excess heat leads to burning pain, thirst, bad breath, irritability, and a rapid onset of symptoms.
Spleen Qi Deficiency: Weak digestion results in bloating, fatigue, poor appetite, and slow healing of ulcer tissue.
Blood Stasis: Chronic or severe ulcers can create localized stagnation, causing fixed, stabbing pain and dark stools.
Identifying the specific TCM pattern allows for personalized treatment that targets both the discomfort and the underlying imbalance.
How Acupuncture Helps Ulcers
Acupuncture can be an effective supportive therapy for reducing pain and improving digestive health. Benefits include:
Regulating Stomach Acid: Helps balance hyperacidity and soothe irritation of the stomach lining.
Reducing Stress and Emotional Triggers: Calms Liver Qi, relieving tension and stress-related flare-ups.
Promoting Healing of Ulcer Tissue: Increases circulation and supports the body’s natural repair processes.
Improving Digestion: Strengthens Spleen and Stomach Qi to enhance nutrient absorption and reduce bloating or nausea.
Relieving Pain: Stimulates points that reduce inflammation, calm the digestive tract, and ease epigastric discomfort.
Patients often experience less pain, reduced acid reflux, improved digestion, and better resilience against triggers.
Integrating TCM Therapies for Ulcers
To support healing and prevent recurrence, acupuncture is often combined with other TCM modalities:
Herbal formulas: Clear Stomach Heat, soothe the Liver, strengthen the Spleen, and reduce inflammation
Dietary guidance: Emphasis on warm, gentle, easily digestible foods; avoiding irritants like spicy or acidic foods
Tui na or abdominal massage: Encourages smooth Qi flow and reduces tension in the digestive tract
Moxibustion: Warms Yang-deficient digestive systems and supports healing
Stress management practices: Gentle qi gong, breathing techniques, or meditation to calm the Liver and nervous system
By addressing both symptoms and root causes, TCM helps promote long-term digestive harmony, reduce ulcer recurrence, and support overall well-being.
