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🌿 Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine for Gut Health!

  • Writer: Dr. Margie Virgo D.TCM, R.Ac
    Dr. Margie Virgo D.TCM, R.Ac
  • Jul 25
  • 6 min read

Digestive health is central to overall wellbeing. Yet for many, issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), bloating, gas, reflux, constipation, or chronic diarrhea can significantly impact quality of life. While conventional medicine often focuses on managing symptoms, more individuals are turning to Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a holistic approach that addresses the root cause.


Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal medicine can be helpful in treating a range of digestive disorders such as;


  • Chronic constipation or diarrhea

  • Nausea and vomiti

  • Peptic ulcer disease,

  • Postoperative ileus,

  • Acid reflux (GERD)

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) such as; Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis

  • SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

  • Food intolerances and sensitivities

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)- characterized by symptoms such as bdominal pain or cramping, bloating and gas, alternating constipation and diarrhea, mucus in the stool, disrupted or irregular bowel movements.

    acupuncture for abdominal pain
    IBS affects an estimated 15% of the global population, with prevalence rates as high as 10–20% in Western countries.

About the Digestive Function in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)


In TCM, digestion is governed by the Spleen and Stomach, which transform food into Qi (energy) and Blood—the building blocks of health. These functions are supported by the Kidney Yang (providing digestive fire) and influenced by the Liver and Gallbladder (ensuring smooth flow through the digestive system). When this system is out of balance, symptoms may show up not only in the gut but also in areas like the mood, sleeping patterns, immunity, and skin health.


Common TCM Patterns in Digestive Imbalance:


  • Spleen Qi Deficiency – fatigue, bloating after meals, loose stools

  • Liver Qi Stagnation – stress-induced IBS, abdominal tension, irregular bowels

  • Damp-Heat in the Intestines – inflammation, diarrhea, mucus in stools

  • Cold in the Spleen/Stomach – slow digestion, pain relieved by warmth

  • Kidney Yang Deficiency – chronic loose stools, exhaustion, cold intolerance


*Chronic or complex digestive issues may involve overlapping patterns, which TCM aims to address at the root level.


How Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine May Help


Acupuncture and herbal medicine aim to restore digestive balance by strengthening organ function, regulating the nervous system, and reducing inflammation. Treatment is tailored to each individual.


Acupuncture supports digestion by calming the nervous system and aiding to balance the gut-brain axis—helping to counteract the effects of an overactive sympathetic system, which can slow digestion. It also may aid in regulating stomach acid, relieving pain, and promoting healthy gut motility.

What is 'the gut-brain axis'?


The gut-brain axis is the two-way communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This network uses neural, hormonal, and immune pathways to send signals back and forth—and it's also shaped by the gut microbiome, which is why it's often called the "microbiota-gut-brain axis."


How the Gut-Brain Axis Works 🧠➡️🦠 & 🦠➡️🧠


  1. From Gut to Brain: Your gut microbes produce important chemicals like serotonin and GABA—neurotransmitters that influence your mood, behavior, and brain function. They can also activate immune responses that impact the brain. The vagus nerve acts like a communication superhighway, sending signals from the gut to the brain about digestion, inflammation, and more.

  2. From Brain to Gut: The brain influences gut function through the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. When you're stressed, for example, the brain releases hormones that can disrupt gut motility and increase inflammation.

  3. Two-Way Communication: The gut and brain are in constant conversation. What happens in the brain affects the gut—and vice versa. This dynamic relationship is key to understanding how stress, mood, and digestive health are all closely linked.


    Why the Gut-Brain Axis Matters 🧠🦠


    🔹 Mental Health: More and more research shows that the gut-brain connection plays a key role in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. A healthy gut can support a more balanced mood.

    🔹 Digestive Disorders: Disruptions in the gut-brain axis are commonly seen in conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), where stress and gut function are deeply intertwined.

    🔹 Neurological Conditions: Emerging studies point to a link between gut health and neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and autism—highlighting the far-reaching impact of this powerful communication network.

There are many great herbs used for a range of digestion issues, here are a few;


  • Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) – strengthens the Spleen and improves digestion

  • Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) – moves Qi and reduces bloating

  • Huang Lian (Coptis) – clears inflammation and heat in the gut

  • Shan Zha (Hawthorn) – aids digestion, especially from eating rich or fatty meals

    Chinese herbal medicine Canberra for gut health
    Chinese herbal formulas come in many forms

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal prescriptions typically consist of 'formulas' that combine around 3 to 15 herbs per formula, rather than using individual herbs. These formulas may be the 'Chinese Classical Formulas' or derived from them, with many having been in use since as early as 1032 AD (and quite possibly earlier!). They can also be customized to suit the unique needs of each person. The formulas can be prepared as decoctions/teas, powders, capsules, or pills.


    Examples of some common formulas are;

  • Si Jun Zi Tang approx. 1107AD - For gastritis, gastric & duodenal ulcers and general dability. Tonifies the energy of the Spleen and Stomach and replenished the Vital Energy (for Qi deficiency)

  • Bao He Wan 1281 AD - Promotes digestion for both constipation and diarhea, fullness and distension in the stomach area, belching, acid regurgitation and loss of appetite. Also indicated for the gastro-intestinal flu.

  • Tong Xie Yao Fang 1624 AD - Allergic colitis and enteritis. Soothes the Liver, relieves pain, tonifies the Spleen and stops diarhea.

  • Chai Hu Shu Gan wan atleast 400 years old - For hypochondriac pain, indigestion, belching & constipation. Circulates the Qi of the Liver.

  • Shu Gan Wan atleast 400 years old - Promotes digestion. For constipation or diarhea, belching and abdominal fullness. For imbalance between the Liver and Stomach.

  • Run Chang Wan centuries old, unknow exactly - For constipation caused by blood deficiency, symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo, constipation, palour and heart palpitations



Suggestions for Lifestyle & Dietary Support in Chinese medicine;


Alongside acupuncture and herbal therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine encourages practical daily habits to support digestive health:


🍲 Eat warm, cooked meals at regular times

🧘‍♀️ Manage stress through breathwork, Qi Gong, or meditation

🍽 Eat mindfully—chew thoroughly, avoid eating on the run

😴 Prioritise restful sleep and avoid overwork

🚫 Reduce greasy, spicy, cold, or highly processed foods


These habits help prevent the accumulation of dampness, stagnation, and deficiency in the digestive system.


Your personalised care plan when consulting with a TCM practitioner may include:


  • Acupuncture – to regulate gut motility, ease pain, and calm the nervous system

  • Chinese herbal medicine – to strengthen digestive function and resolve internal imbalances

  • Probiotic supplementation – with strains targeted to gut health

  • Tailored dietary guidance – based on your constitution and TCM diagnosis

  • Lifestyle advice – focusing on stress, sleep, movement, and eating habits


Together, these tools work to restore healthy digestion and support overall well-being—enhancing energy, mood, mental clarity, and immunity.


Clinical Evidence: What the Research Says;


Scientific studies increasingly validate the benefits of acupuncture and TCM for digestive health:


These studies may provide evidence supporting the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in managing IBS and related digestive disorders.


Your Healing Starts Here. If you're living with IBS, reflux, bloating, or chronic digestive discomfort, Chinese Medicine offers a gentle, individualised approach to healing.

Treatment is always customised—addressing your symptoms, constitution, lifestyle, and underlying pattern of imbalance. Whether your gut issues are new or long-standing, it’s never too late to bring your digestion—and your life—back into balance.


by Dr. Margie Virgo D.TCM — Registered Acupuncturist & Chinese Medicine Practitioner and owner of Weston Creek Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, Rivett, ACT. Practising since 1997.

📌 🌐 www.westoncreekacupuncture.com.au   Ph.0438 815 167

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