Healing From Delayed Gastric Emptying (Gastroparesis)
What Causes Delayed Gastric Emptying
Delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) happens when the muscles of the stomach aren’t working properly, resulting in slowed transit of food from the stomach into the intestines. The underlying cause of gastroparesis is dysfunction of the nerves responsible for gastric motility. Nerve dysfunction of the stomach can be caused by a variety of conditions, the most common ones being diabetes, post-viral sequelae, post-surgical complications, side effects of cancer treatment and nervous system diseases like Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis.
Manifestations of Gastroparesis
Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying include early satiety, post-prandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, belching and a feeling of fullness or distension above the belly button. In severe cases there can be weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. In addition to physical manifestations of gastroparesis, the psychological ones can be devastating. The ability to nourish ourselves is a basic need, foundational to life itself, and enjoying meals socially is deeply engrained in our cultural fabric. Dealing with delayed gastric emptying is often very distressing and can substantially impact one’s quality of life.
Often times with gastroparesis, people feel trapped with no further treatment options other than prescription medication, which can have serious side effects. Nothing is further from the truth.
Treatment of Gastroparesis with Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a safe, effective and often underutilized treatment for delayed gastric emptying. While large-scale studies specific to gastroparesis have yet to be funded, this case study and randomized control trial highlight the efficacy of acupuncture in greatly alleviating symptoms and restoring quality of life in cases of gastroparesis.¹,² Additionally, a review in The World Journal of Gastroenterology suggests acupuncture has the potential to treat GI disorders like gastroparesis by regulating GI motility, the GI barrier, visceral sensitivity, and the brain-gut axis.³
The reason why acupuncture can be so effective in specifically treating gastroparesis is because of its ability to communicate directly with the nerves of the stomach (see our article How Acupuncture Works for a detailed explanation of acupuncture’s influence on the nervous system). Key points on the abdomen and along the digestive meridians are chosen to rekindle and regulate gastric motility. The core of our treatment plan always includes the following acupuncture points: Stomach 36 (just below and lateral to the knee), Pericardium 6 (in the center of the wrist) and Ren 12 (several inches above the belly button).
Addressing Underlying Causes with Chinese Medicine
In addition to improving gastric motility with acupuncture, Chinese Medicine can support whole body healing from gastroparesis by treating or aiding in the management of underlying conditions. Depending on whether nerve dysfunction is caused by a virus, diabetic nerve damage, a neurodegenerative disease, etc., Chinese Medicine is focused on supporting recovery from the underlying cause. In addition to working on motility of the stomach directly, carefully crafted herbal formulas, supplements, dietary and/or lifestyle recommendations can make a huge impact in the healing and remission of certain conditions.
What Does a Treatment Plan Look Like?
A recommended course of acupuncture treatment for gastroparesis usually involves eight to twelve sessions. We recommend coming in one to two times per week for the first month, often finding it appropriate to transition to sessions every other week as treatment progresses. While some people experience significant improvement immediately, it is important to understand nerve healing is a slow and complex process. Patience and diligence are an essential part of any course of treatment.
If you suspect you have gastroparesis, it’s important to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist and receive confirmation of your diagnosis before beginning a course of treatment. Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying overlap with other gastrointestinal conditions, some of which may warrant a different route of treatment.
Further questions about treatment? Email us at hello@alamereacupuncture.com to book an introductory phone call to see if treatment is right for you.
1. Hwang SH, Chuang C, Kizhakkeveettil A. Acupuncture Treatment for Gastroparesis. Medical Acupuncture. 2008;20(2):123-126. doi:10.1089/acu.2008.0605
2. Xuefen W, Ping L, Li L, Xiaoli C, Yue Z. A Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture Treatment of Gastroparesis Using Different Acupoints. Pain Res Manag. 2020;2020:8751958. doi:10.1155/2020/8751958
3. Li H, He T, Xu Q, et al. Acupuncture and regulation of gastrointestinal function. World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21 2015;21(27):8304-13. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i27.8304
