This stomach pain case report describes a 38-year-old woman who found significant relief from chronic stomach pain through acupuncture. A mother of two, she had been suffering from debilitating symptoms for two years, including persistent bloating, frequent and urgent bowel movements, stomach and abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and irritability. Her quality of life had been severely impacted, preventing her from engaging in activities she once enjoyed, such as running. The combination of her physical discomfort and exhaustion also left her feeling demotivated and unable to sleep well, further contributing to her emotional distress.
Upon her initial consultation, her tongue presented with a thick white coating, and her pulse was slippery—classic indicators in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) of internal imbalance. After a detailed examination, we diagnosed her condition as Spleen Qi deficiency with internal dampness. This diagnosis explained her symptoms from a TCM perspective: the spleen’s role in digestion and energy production was weakened, resulting in poor nutrient absorption and the accumulation of dampness in the body. Dampness, in TCM, refers to an internal condition where moisture stagnates within the body, causing issues like bloating, lethargy, and digestive disturbances.
Acupuncture Resolves Stomach Pain
To address our patient’s condition in this stomach pain case report, we developed a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporated acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and dietary recommendations. Acupuncture was particularly effective in treating her chronic stomach pain by stimulating specific points on the body to rebalance her energy (Qi) flow, reduce internal dampness, and strengthen her digestive system.
The acupuncture points we used focused on supporting the spleen and stomach, as these organs are central to digestion in TCM. Common acupuncture points in her treatment included ST36 (Zusanli), located on the leg, known for tonifying the stomach and spleen, improving digestion, and boosting energy. SP9 (Yinlingquan), another point often used in cases of dampness, helped drain the excess moisture accumulated in her system. In conjunction with these points, we added additional acupuncture points to ease her abdominal pain and regulate her bowel movements, such as ST25 (Tianshu) and CV12 (Zhongwan), both located near the stomach and abdomen.
In addition to acupuncture, we prescribed a personalized Chinese herbal formula to further nourish her spleen and dispel dampness. Herbal formulas in TCM often combine various herbs that target the root cause of imbalances, as well as the symptoms. This formula worked synergistically with the acupuncture treatments, accelerating her recovery.
Lastly, dietary changes were crucial in supporting her digestive system. We advised her to avoid cold and raw foods, which can weaken the spleen in TCM, and instead focus on warm, cooked meals that are easier to digest. Foods that helped tonify the spleen included warming spices like ginger and cinnamon, and easily digestible grains like rice and millet.
Progress Over Eight Weeks
After just a few acupuncture treatments, she noticed initial improvements in her digestion and energy levels. Her frequent bowel movements reduced in urgency, and the constant bloating began to subside. By the fourth treatment, her nausea had decreased significantly, and she reported feeling more motivated throughout the day.
At the end of eight weekly acupuncture sessions, she experienced a remarkable 80% reduction in stomach pain. The bloating was mostly gone, and her bowel movements had normalized. Her energy levels were significantly better, allowing her to resume her morning runs, which she had sorely missed. Moreover, her sleep quality had greatly improved—she could now sleep through the night without waking up from discomfort or pain. As her physical health improved, so did her mood; she reported feeling less irritable and more emotionally balanced.
This stomach pain case report reflects the holistic nature of TCM, which not only addresses physical symptoms but also restores emotional well-being by treating the underlying root causes. Her recovery demonstrated the powerful role acupuncture can play in treating chronic, complex conditions like digestive disorders.
Chinese Medicine Perspective on Digestive Health
In TCM, digestive health is intricately linked to the spleen and stomach, which are responsible for the transformation of food into energy (Qi) and nourishment for the body. When the spleen becomes weak, it struggles to metabolize food and fluids efficiently, leading to the accumulation of dampness—a condition akin to excess moisture in the body that can cause bloating, fatigue, and digestive discomfort. Dampness can become a chronic issue, leading to more significant symptoms, such as nausea, irritability, and lethargy.
Acupuncture addresses these imbalances by stimulating key meridians that correspond to the organs responsible for digestion. By regulating the flow of Qi along these meridians, acupuncture promotes the body’s natural healing processes, reducing internal dampness and supporting the spleen’s ability to function properly. As a result, symptoms like bloating, pain, and fatigue are alleviated, and the body’s overall energy improves.
Stomach Pain Case Report
This stomach pain case report highlights the effectiveness of acupuncture in resolving chronic digestive issues that Western medicine may struggle to treat. For our patient, after two years of suffering from unexplained stomach pain and discomfort, acupuncture provided much-needed relief and restored her quality of life.
The integration of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and dietary adjustments worked together to treat the root cause of her condition—Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness—and produced long-lasting results. Moreover, acupuncture offered a safe, natural treatment without adverse side effects, proving to be a powerful option for addressing chronic digestive disorders in modern patients.
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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.
