Acupuncture Points & Acid Reflux

If you regularly suffer from unpleasant digestive problems, such as acid reflux, acupuncture may offer a relief from your symptoms or a remedy to the underlying cause. Acupuncture is a healing art based in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), in which a practitioner applies needles to specific acupuncture points on the body. Stimulating these points restores the balanced flow of "qi," or vital energy, thereby healing disease. If you're interested in trying acupuncture, consult with your primary medical provider.

Acupuncture Points

An acupuncturist learns a complex mapping of points around the human body. The points are found along meridians, the channels along which qi energy flows, which each correspond to particular organs or body processes. Depending on the nature of your condition, your acupuncturist may select from a range of points that help acid reflux problems. A major point related to acid reflux is called Pericardium-6 or P6, and is located just above the wrist. Depending on the particular school of acupuncture, your practitioner may also use points such as Liver-8 or Gallbladder-34p, both connected to digestive problems such as acid reflux.

Reflux and Acupuncture

Typically, acupuncture does not deal with a single symptom, but an acupuncturist selects points based on a larger portrait of the patients' symptoms and characteristics. For example, a patient that has acid reflux and leads a very hectic lifestyle may need a treatment that promotes relaxation. In such a case, the acupuncturist might select a combination of points, including P6, to relax the muscles required for digestion. In a 2010 study published in the "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine," acupuncture helped patients suffering from gastrointestinal reflux.

Related Applications

According to Lisajeanne Potyk, a licensed acupuncturist and contributor to "Acupuncture Today" magazine, some of the same combinations of points used for acid reflux can also help patients with related digestive disorders. Potyk regularly uses the so-called Eight Magic Points discovered by Dr. Teh Fu Tan for acid reflux, heartburn, nausea caused by chemotherapy or radiation, constipation and nausea caused by pregnancy.

Precautions and Additional Considerations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has few records of complications or negative side effects resulting from acupuncture, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Therapies. In most states, acupuncturists must be licensed in order to practice. The FDA also regulates acupuncture needles, setting requirements for their production, distribution and labeling. If you're interested in exploring acupuncture, ask your primary medical provider for a reference, or find a reputable acupuncturist through a national organization.

Acupuncture Points & Acid Reflux