New gastritis acupuncture research concludes that acupuncture relieves gastritis more effectively than the drug ranitidine, a commonly prescribed medication. The study was conducted at Chenzhou First People’s Hospital. Researchers examined the benefits of acupuncture and ranitidine in the treatment of chronic gastritis, a digestive disorder causing inflammation of the stomach lining.
What Is Gastritis?
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. Symptoms of gastritis include indigestion, burning pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, bloating, hiccups, or tar-like stools. The study concluded that acupuncture delivered significantly greater positive patient outcomes than the medication ranitidine.
Acupuncture Resolves Gastritis
This gastritis acupuncture research found that acupuncture was more effective than ranitidine in reducing or eliminating gastric lesions and inflammation in the mucus-secreting membrane lining of the stomach. These results were confirmed through gastroscopy, which showed a 96.4% total effective rate compared to a 69.9% effective rate with ranitidine.
Gastritis Acupuncture Research Details
Researchers compared two groups of patients with gastritis. Group 1 received 150 mg of oral ranitidine two times a day. Ranitidine is a histamine-2 blocker that reduces stomach acid production. It is commonly used for the treatment and prevention of ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It is also used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Side effects of ranitidine include increased risk of pneumonia and can be transferred to babies through breast milk.
Group 2 received acupuncture. The following 5 primary acupuncture points were used in the study:
Qihai (CV6)
Guanyuan (CV4)
Zusanli (ST36)
Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Tianshu (ST25)
Acupuncture Treatment For Gastritis
Patients lay comfortably on a treatment table face up. Sterile, single-use, hair thin needles were used at the specific acupuncture points listed above. Practitioners elicited a qi sensation at each needle (called deQi), which is a slightly achy sensation. This assures that the qi healing energy is stimulated for an effective treatment. Needles were retained for 30 minutes per treatment, and patients received 20 treatments total.
Biomedical View of Gastritis
The current biomedical understanding of gastritis is that it is caused by excess alcohol intake, stress, adverse reactions to medications, bile reflux, anemia, Helicobacter pylori infections, and other bacterial or viral infections. This is consistent with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
However, the researchers noted that TCM also uses differential diagnosis to determine the health of the liver, stomach, and spleen and their relationship to gastritis. The researchers explained that gastritis involves several patterns including:
Disharmony of the liver, spleen, and stomach
Spleen and stomach qi deficiency
Yin deficiency
Heat toxins
They added that several TCM principles apply to the application of therapeutic modalities including acupuncture and herbs: nourish yin and blood, tonify spleen and stomach qi, dredge the meridians, expel excess dampness, clear heat toxins, release the surface to expel toxins through hydrosis.
Raleigh Acupuncture Treatment of Gastritis
We have been successfully treating gastritis for 15 years. Acupuncture eases symptoms and enables patients to reduce or stop their medications. The treatment is safe and natural, with no negative side effects.
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References:
Du KT & Xie H. (2015). Clinical Study on Acupuncture plus Moxibustion for Chronic Superficial Gastritis. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 34(10).
Zhong MS. (2009). Jian Pi Yi Wei Shun Gan Decoction combined with Acupoints Suspended Moxibustion in treating Chronic Superficial Gastritis: 42 cases. China Journal of Health and Nutrition, Clinical Medical Journal. 18(3): 11.
What our Clients are Saying
I can’t express enough gratitude for the positive impact acupuncture has had on my life. For years, I struggled with debilitating gastroparesis symptoms that left me feeling trapped in a cycle of pain and discomfort. Traditional medical treatments provided limited relief, leaving me searching for alternative therapies. That’s when I discovered Raleigh Acupuncture. From my first session, I felt a significant relief. As I continued regular acupuncture sessions, I noticed a remarkable improvement in my gastroparesis symptoms. The chronic nausea, bloating, and stomach pain that once plagued me began to reduce, allowing me to reclaim control over my body and my life. Acupuncture not only provided relief from my symptoms but also helped me feel more balanced and relaxed. I had more energy and focus. Today, thanks to Raleigh Acupuncture, my life is fuller and more vibrant and my gastroparesis is completely manageable. I strongly recommend acupuncture to anyone struggling with similar challenges. It truly is a holistic healing medicine.
Thanks Mark for helping relieve my gastroparesis! The nausea, stomach pain, and reflux were driving me crazy. With your help and dedication I’m feeling so much better. Recommended!
My husband Arthur and I have used Raleigh Acupuncture bi-weekly for at least 4 years, for a variety of treatments, including general well-being. Both of us felt our ailments healed with the treatment. I initially visited for Irritable Bowel Syndrome – and had immediate relief… the practitioners are very professional and learned, and we have every confidence in them. Even though we pay out of pocket, we obviously feel that the acupuncture is worth it. We both highly recommend Raleigh Acupuncture – you won’t regret it!
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.
I’m totally afraid of needles, but my wife convinced me to try acupuncture for my IBS. It was really hampering my life. I’d have to go to the bathroom 5 times before leaving for work. Then at work I’d be sitting in a meeting and all of a sudden have to go again. Any type of stress set me off. At first they could only use 2 needles, that’s all I would let them do. But after a few treatments I started relaxing and felt more comfortable with the needles. The effect has been amazing. I’m so much better now. Mornings are easy, no problems at work. It’s hard to believe, because I’ve had this for my entire adult life. Now I just go in for maintenance and have some herbs I take when I need them. Raleigh Acupuncture is a great outfit.