Rest and digest. Wouldn’t we all like time for that! The Nutrition Digest states “70,000,000 people everyday suffer from some form of digestive issues (heartburn, acid reflux, GERD (gastro esophageal reflex disorder), IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), indigestion constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.). To relieve these symptoms people turn to Tums®, Rolaids®, Zantac®, Tagamet®, or the more dangerous, PPIs (Proton Pump Inihibitors) Nexium®, Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Protonics®, etc.”
A study in the December 27, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that people over age 50 who take the drugs that are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for more than one year have a 44% increased risk of breaking a hip. PPIs inhibit the body from producing stomach acid. However, some stomach acid is needed to absorb calcium, which is needed for healthy bones.
While quick fixes make us feel better, our bodies are speaking to us. Whether they are saying slow down our eating, chew our food better, rest a little after a meal, or to avoid certain foods that just don’t agree with us, we need to address the underlying concerns that afflict our digestion. Besides lifestyle changes, which aren’t always easy, herbs and supplements, certain essential oils, acupuncture, and abdominal massage can aid in digestive discomforts.
One particular acupuncture point, Ren 12, can be essential to digestive health. This point is located midway between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle (just below with sternum). In traditional Chinese medicine the Spleen and the Stomach play a central role in the transformation and distribution of food and drink throughout the body. Ren 12 regulates the function of the Stomach, which can, in turn, treat conditions of the Stomach and the Spleen. Ren 12 is an adaptogenic point that can regulate deficient or excess patterns, meaning it can treat an overactive or underactive Stomach. Epigastric (above the umbilicus) pain and fullness, difficult digestion, constipation, diarrhea, undigested food (in the stool), nausea, stomach reflux, vomiting, abdominal pain and distention, and abdominal fullness are all common ailments treatable with Ren 12.
The purpose of the Stomach is to receive food and water and “rot and ripen” them, preparing the nutrients for nourishment of the body. Not eating or drinking for a prolonged period of time can weaken the function of the Stomach leading to a host of digestive issues. Any imbalance of the Stomach affects its function. Overeating can also impair the Stomach’s function leading to discomfort, pain, and rebellion. If the Stomach fails to “rot and ripen” the food there will be fullness, distention, and pain. If the Stomach rebels upward, there will be nausea, vomiting, stomach reflux, and painful hiccups. It’s the nature of the energetic organ system to express itself when there is disharmony. These little or big symptoms simply shows us that our body is naturally communicating, alerting us to the disharmony.
Emotions such as worry, anxiety, overthinking, anger, frustration, and resentment can also impact our digestion from a TCM perspective. So once again, if there is any disharmony with the Stomach or the Spleen, then their functions will be interrupted leading to a myriad of digestive complaints.
If you already take digestive medicines, perhaps combining both Eastern and Western modalities can be the first step to better health. Regardless, if you experience any digestive complaints, consider booking an appointment with a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine for acupuncture, herbs, or supplemental advise. It could be a life-changing decision.
Contributor
Acupuncturist, herbalist, Maya abdominal practitioner, and reflexologist Christina Morris is the founder of Element Natural Healing Arts. Writing about health and wellness gives her an outlet to express her care and concern for her beloved community. She believes everyone can achieve better health and happiness–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.