Acupuncture Reduces Heartburn

A 2009 Journal of Acupuncture Medicine study concluded that acupuncture reduces heartburn. In particular, investigators explored acupuncture’s benefits for women struggling with acid reflux during pregnancy. The study also found that acupuncture reduced the need for medication. Researchers found that 75% of pregnant women receiving acupuncture had decreased heartburn symptoms in this randomized, controlled study compared with 31% in the control group. Acupunct Med 2009;27:50-53

Acupuncture Reduces Heartburn

Participants in the study were pregnant women experiencing heartburn. To better control outcome data, they all received the same acupuncture points. Typically, acupuncturists assess patients based on their particular symptoms and provide an individualized set of points. However, even using a simplified, uniform treatment, the patients still experienced significant heartburn relief.

Two Magic Points to Reduce Heartburn

To determine if acupuncture reduces heartburn, investigators preselected two acupuncture points to treat the women – acupoints PC6 (located on the inner forearm) and SP4 (located on the inside of the foot). This combination of acupuncture points PC6 and SP4, named Neiguan and Gongsun in Chinese, respectively, have been employed for more than 2,000 years in the treatment of heartburn. These points have a strong descending function, promoting the stomach to direct its energies downward, counteracting and relieving the rising acid sensations of heartburn and GERD.

The Eight Extraordinary Vessels

This unique and powerful point combination comes from the Chinese medicine theory of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, initially introduced by Dou Hanqing, who wrote the book Guide to Acupuncture in the 13th century. Dou Hangqing claims that the book’s contents came from a hermit named Shao Shi, who lived in the distant past.

The book identified eight acupuncture channels that travel through the body. A master point controls each channel, called the Confluent Point. These unique acupuncture points promote deep healing in the body, restoring balance, healing disease, and alleviating pain. Each of the eight points has special functions to address particular medical issues. However, when combined, they create even more powerful effects.

Acupuncture Directs Stomach Energy Downward

The acupuncture points used in this study, PC6, and SP4, are both confluent points for two Extraordinary Vessels. PC6 is the confluent point for the Yin Wei vessel and SP4 for the Chong vessel. Combining PC6 and SP4 is a powerful treatment for heartburn. These two acupoints, used together, vigorously promote the stomach to descend its energy, easing acid reflux, GERD, nausea, vomiting, and other stomach disharmonies.

Additional Confluent Points

Another set of Confluent Points includes the combination of SI3 (located on the hand by the pinky) and BL62 (located on the outer ankle). Needling these points together treats neck, shoulder, and back disorders. Confluent points TB5 (located on the forearm) and GB41 (located on the top of the foot) address ear and face problems, as well as wrap-around pain (pains radiating front to back) on the torso. Finally, the confluent points LU7 (located on the wrist on the thumb side) and KI6 (located on the inner ankle) treat throat, chest, and stomach disorders.

Raleigh Acupuncture Heartburn Treatment

At Raleigh Acupuncture, we typically utilize several acupuncture points to treat heartburn. These include acupoints CV14, CV12, ST21, ST36, SP3, and BL20. However, PC6 and SP4 are particularly beneficial when treating pregnant women because it is prohibited to needle points directly on the stomach during pregnancy. These two points, located on the wrist and foot, provide direct aid to the stomach relieving heartburn and acid reflux. In addition, these points powerfully ease nausea, which helps women struggling with morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy.