If you’ve been wrestling with bloating, fatigue, brain fog, or that mysteriously low mood that shows up after lunch, Chinese medicine may point the finger at an unsung hero. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), digestive issues and the speen are inseparable companions, whether you invited them to the party or not. The Spleen doesn’t get glossy magazine coverage like the heart or liver, but in TCM it quietly runs the show, turning food into energy, clarity, and emotional steadiness. Ignore it long enough and it will return the favor.
The Spleen’s Job Description (No, It’s Not Just Digestion)
In TCM, the Spleen is responsible for transforming food into qi (usable energy) and blood, then transporting that nourishment throughout the body. Think of it as your internal logistics department. When it works well, digestion is smooth, energy is steady, and thinking feels clear. When it struggles, symptoms pile up: loose stools, bloating, sugar cravings, fatigue, and a tendency toward worry or overthinking.
Unlike Western physiology, the TCM Spleen also governs muscles, posture, and mental focus. That afternoon slump? That’s not a moral failure, it’s a tired Spleen. The link between digestive issues and the speen becomes especially clear when patients notice their mood sinking right alongside their energy. When digestion falters, so does emotional resilience.
Modern Habits That Quietly Sabotage the Spleen
The Spleen likes warmth, rhythm, and simplicity. Modern life offers… iced lattes, protein bars eaten while standing, and emails answered during meals. Cold and raw foods, excessive sugar, irregular eating times, and chronic stress all weaken Spleen function over time. Add constant multitasking and you have the perfect recipe for sluggish digestion and mental fog.
One of the great ironies is that many “healthy” habits can be hard on the Spleen. Smoothies packed with ice and raw greens may look virtuous, but to the Spleen they feel like being asked to do math while shivering. This is why digestive issues and the speen often show up in people who are trying very hard to do everything right.
Case Studies: When the Spleen Speaks Up
Case Study 1: The Busy Professional
A 42-year-old executive struggled with bloating, loose stools, and constant mental fatigue. She skipped breakfast, lived on salads, and drank iced coffee year-round. Acupuncture focused on strengthening Spleen qi, paired with warm, regular meals. Within six weeks, digestion normalized and her concentration improved noticeably.
Case Study 2: The Overthinking Student
A college student presented with poor appetite, anxiety, and difficulty focusing. Symptoms worsened during exam periods. Treatment addressed the link between worry and Spleen weakness. As digestion improved, anxiety softened and sleep became more restorative.
Case Study 3: The “Healthy” Retiree
A retired runner experienced chronic fatigue and sugar cravings despite a clean diet. Excessive raw foods and irregular meals were stressing the system. Once those habits changed and acupuncture was added, energy stabilized and cravings diminished. Another reminder that digestive issues and the speen rarely exist in isolation.
Supporting Your Spleen Without Turning Your Life Upside Down
Supporting Spleen health doesn’t require monk-like discipline. Warm, cooked meals, regular eating times, and mindful chewing go a long way. Reducing cold drinks, excessive sweets, and eating on the run helps even more. Acupuncture gently nudges the system back toward balance, improving digestion, energy, and emotional steadiness together.
When patients understand the connection between digestion and mood, something clicks. The body stops feeling like a collection of unrelated problems and starts acting like a coordinated whole. That’s the quiet wisdom behind recognizing digestive issues and the speen as a meaningful conversation, not a coincidence.
Ready to Strengthen Your Digestion from the Inside Out?
If bloating, fatigue, or mental fog have become familiar companions, your Spleen may be asking for support. Acupuncture and personalized dietary guidance can help restore balance without extremes or guesswork. Contact our clinic today to schedule a consultation and give your digestion the thoughtful attention it deserves. Your Spleen has been working hard for you, it’s time to return the favor.
About Raleigh Acupuncture
At Raleigh Acupuncture Associates, we are committed to providing the highest quality, evidence-informed acupuncture with a strong foundation in compassion, integrity, and respect. Every patient is treated with dignity and individualized attention, regardless of background, beliefs, or personal history.
We welcome people from all walks of life and strive to create a warm, inclusive environment that supports healing and whole-person wellness. Our dedication to exceptional acupuncture care is paired with a genuine commitment to helping others feel better, move better, and live better. Here, professional expertise and thoughtful patient care come together to support your health and well-being.
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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.
My acid reflux meds stopped working about three months ago and someone suggested acupuncture so I gave it a try. I couldn’t eat anything without having burning pain from my stomach up into my chest. What a relief from the acupuncture! They totally cured my reflux. I’ve been living with this, just managing it with medications, when all the while I could have cured it with this. Absolutely amazing! I love Raleigh Acupuncture!!
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.
About six months ago I starting getting debilitating fatigue, to the point where I could not exercise and had to drag myself through the day at work. The doctors said it must be stress, because there was nothing wrong with me. But when I went to Raleigh Acupuncture, they said that my digestion was weak. They said I was not getting proper energy from the food I was eating, so they treated my digestive system. I was amazed to see my energy increase after the treatments. Within 10 treatments I was back to my old self, exercising again and working through the day no problem. And as a side benefit, I started losing weight. They said this was related to my improved digestive function. Now my friends want to go because they see my energy back and see me losing weight!
I am a long term patient of Raleigh Acupuncture. Prior to being under their care, I was disabled with terrible fatigue and pain all over my body. I was unable to drive, could only walk less than a block, and had numerous symptoms that mystified doctors. After countless lab work, x-rays, and MRI’s, several doctors including my primary physician told me that there was nothing that could be done. According to them, it was either an illness that was undiagnosable or it was all in my head. When I came to Raleigh Acupuncture, it was a breath of fresh air. They took me very seriously and were not mystified by my condition. They assured me that my condition was treatable and manageable. They treat me with respect, dignity and care; something that I didn’t receive at my primary care doctor. Thanks to their treatments I am now living a normal life. They have restored my health and taught me how to manage my condition. My family and friends can’t believe how much improvement I have made. My son is grateful to have his mommy back! And I am eternally grateful to Raleigh Acupuncture! They truly have the gift of healing!
I still am forever in your debt for helping me through the Lymes recovery. My body pain and fatigue were overwhelming before getting acupuncture. I still tell everyone today that I am 100% positive that my recovery was a direct result of your expert care. Truly. I have very little residual effects from the disease that I can easily live with. So again,thank you not only for your amazing skills, but for the compassion and kindness that you showed me during that time.
