The Patient
34-year-old woman, married with a young son, works in Research Triangle. This abdominal pain case study will dive into her situation and see how acupuncture helped resolve her pain.
The Problem
She came to our office suffering from abdominal pain for the past six months, with occasional sharp stabbing pain and constant distention in her low abdomen. Doctors had found no issues, diagnosed her with IBS, and offered antidepressants.
Her bowels were on the loose side with urgency when under stress. She had been gaining weight even though she was eating and exercising the same. At the time, she had a high-stress job and a family with a young child at home. She ate well, fruit smoothies every morning for breakfast and salads for lunch. But she had difficulty falling asleep and was anxious at night. Her tongue was pale with scallop marks on the sides, and her pulse was thin.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis
We see these symptoms quite frequently. We were confident that we could help and that the acupuncture would restore her health. She was suffering from an imbalance called Liver/Spleen disharmony. This condition led to chronic abdominal pain, sleep problems, and weight gain.
High stress from working, being married, running the household, and raising a young child had led to an imbalance called Liver Qi stagnation. The energy (Qi) that flows through her body was stuck, not flowing smoothly. This nervous energy then attacked her stomach and intestines, causing pain. Her weakened stomach function was called Spleen Qi deficiency.
In addition, her dietary choices were further damaging her stomach. She started each day with frozen smoothies. While the ingredients were healthy, the cold, raw food was damaging her stomach. The stomach likes warm, cooked foods. Salads for lunch further hurt her stomach, as salad is cold and raw. These foods aggravated her Spleen Qi deficiency.
Treatment
To address her Liver Qi stagnation, we used the acupuncture points LV3 and Li4. For her Spleen Qi deficiency, we selected ST36 and CV12. We added ST25 for her loose stools and a combination of GV20 and Yintang as calming points.
We suggested she start eating more cooked, warm foods like oatmeal for breakfast and stews for lunch and dinner. Steaming or stir-frying her vegetables, instead of eating them raw, would also help. These dietary changes would enable her stomach and intestines to heal.
She received four acupuncture treatments over a month. Each week we modified the acupuncture points to address her changing needs, but treatments always managed her underlying Liver/Spleen disharmony.
Results
After the initial four treatments, we reduced her abdominal pain by 60%. With an additional three sessions, we were able to resolve her pain for good. Her bowel function was normal, stress reduced, and weight in the zone. A six-month follow-up found her happy and healthy.
The treatments restored balance to her mind and body. Our bodies are always giving us signs to address problems. If we ignore them, not only do they persist, they often turn into more significant issues. By addressing them early, we feel better and avoid trouble down the road.
Next Steps
If you struggle with abdominal pain, IBS symptoms, or other digestive issues, consider trying acupuncture. This abdominal pain case study is typical of the cases we see at Raleigh Acupuncture. Acupuncture helped her. It can help you too.
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Abdominal Pain Case Study
We have treated thousands of abdominal pain patients over the years with great success. Acupuncture treats the root issue to bring long-lasting relief. We are healing the body, not just masking the symptoms. Come in and try acupuncture for yourself.
What our Clients are Saying
I developed severe abdominal pain following the stomach flu. Three rounds of antibiotics did not help. Neither did an elimination diet. Raleigh Acupuncture got rid of the pain in six treatments! Acupuncture is amazing. And so are they.
I have always had a nervous stomach. Some people get headaches, I get stomach aches. It’s always worse with stress and eases up on the weekends when I can relax. I did not think of getting treatment until I stumbled on an article saying how acupuncture was excellent for treating stomach pain. I went to Raleigh Acupuncture and described my condition. They explained why my stomach hurt. It totally made sense to me. It’s all about internal balance. So they went to work on me to get my stomach balanced. And I’m pleased to say that it worked. I no longer have a nervous stomach and stomach pain, even in stressful situations. I’ve made some changes to my diet, based on their recommendations, and took chinese herbs for a while, but don’t need to take them now. I’m convinced that I would have lived with stomach pain for the rest of my life had it not been for acupuncture.