The stomach and digestive problems.
I love the stomach! Whenever I see a new patient in clinic, no matter what the problem may be, I am always super interested in how the patient’s digestive system is operating.
In Chinese medicine, the digestive system consists of two organs, the stomach and the spleen. The stomach and spleen are also known as the “earth” element in Chinese five element theory. I believe that having a well-functioning digestive system or earth element enables the human body to operate at its best and helps strengthen the immune system and ward off disease.
Recent times have seen an increase in digestive dysfunctions and many people present at the clinic with issues ranging from minor problems such as constipation or to more severe diagnosis as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease. Using acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, diet and lifestyle changes can be very beneficial in strengthening the earth element and assisting the patient in getting their body back in balance.
When treating children for a range of problems, I often see favourable results when concentrating on the strengthening their digestive system. Chinese medicine believes the qi or energy provided by the stomach is extremely important and is called post-natal qi. We need to have robust post-natal qi to operate well throughout our lives and support our constitution (pre-natal qi). Therefore, I always encourage parents to nurture their children’s digestion and supply a good diet to give kids the best start in life.
I am passionate about digestion, so if you are experiencing any discomfort or have concerns about your digestive health acupuncture may be something well worth considering.
Scott is available for consultation at Mornington Chinese Medicine on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s.
To book your appointment please call us on ph: 5973 6886.