Chronic acid reflux and heartburn (GERD) can significantly impact quality of life, and many people seek alternatives to long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Chinese Medicine offers a complementary approach that aims to address underlying factors contributing to reflux.
In Chinese Medicine, reflux is most commonly understood as Stomach Qi rebelling upward, often in the context of Liver overacting on the Stomach, or a pattern of deficiency and excess in the digestive system. Treatment is tailored to your specific CM diagnosis.
Acupuncture has been studied for its effects on esophageal motility, lower esophageal sphincter tone, and gastric emptying, though the clinical trials in reflux are small. Our treatment combines acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine and dietary guidance, aimed at making the symptoms more manageable day to day.
Common presentations we treat include GERD, laryngopharyngeal reflux, reflux associated with pregnancy or stress, and heartburn related to dietary triggers.