Acid Reflux Symptoms Can Be Resolved With Acupuncture

University of Adelaide in Australia researchers did studies that applied a light electrical pulse to activate an acupressure point known as the Pericardium 6, P6, or Neiguan point located on the wrist. This acupoint is associated with upper gastrointestinal diseases such as acid reflux. The acupoint activation led to a decrease in relaxations of the LES or lower esophageal sphincter. The LES relaxation is believed to be a major reason for acid reflux syndrome. The Neiguan stimulation significantly lessened TLESRs (transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations) by 40%, (6/ hour to 2.5/hour). This decrease was also observed as being substantially higher than the outcomes shown in the placebo group, the group that received a mock stimulation on an acupoint located on the hip.

A component of a Chinese medical system known as TCM or traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure is a modality in which manual pressure is applied to the said acupoints. This treatment is similar to acupuncture treatment although instead of needles, pressure from the hands and other things are used to stimulate the acupoints. A high-tech version of traditional acupuncture is electrical acupoint stimulation. The application of pressure on acupoints suggested by ancient Chinese charts on certain organs and regions of the body utilizing the Yin energy of the meridian system may effectively treat ailments. This will bring Qi and Yang into alignment, which then activates the self-healing processes in the body.

The stimulation of the acupoint in the aforementioned study was an updated version of a millennia-old Chinese procedure, in which electrodes, instead of needles were used to transmit little electrical charges to certain acupoints on the skin. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), those points are related to the internal channels that conduct energy all over the body. It is via the activation of those acupoints that a robust circulation of (energy) is attained.

One can also apply pressure on the Neiguan point through one’s fingers. Acupoints are usually situated in between or beside ligaments, tendons, and bones. They however, are not located on arteries, blood vessels, or bones, but instead in the depressions between or beside them. Applying pressure on the Neiguan has been used for years to relieve postsurgical nausea, morning sickness, sea sickness, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. This ancient Chinese healing tradition has also been used to treat migraines, chest pain, epilepsy, fever, and insomnia.

Christina Prieto, AP
1617 Hillcrest St
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: 407-234-6454
www.harmonywellnesscenter.com