Digestive problems sometimes develop insidiously. Before we know it, we’ve started simply avoiding certain foods or have chosen to live with some digestive discomfort, even at the expense of our energy levels or well-being. How can we return to a healthy, happy relationship with food? What do we do if we often experience disturbances, but conventional medical examination can’t find a structural problem? Or if the western medical solution only helps partially?
Of course it’s good news if nothing is found in the conventional medical examination! But it’s still annoying when the symptoms persist and we don’t (yet) know why. In the case of so-called functional disorders without a structural reason, e.g. irritable stomach or irritable bowel, traditional Chinese medicine can often be helpful. TCM can also support western medical treatment as an adjunctive therapy when conventional medicine cannot offer a long-term or complete solution.
I would like to emphasize that TCM is not better than conventional medicine, just different, and does not replace conventional medical diagnosis and treatment when necessary. That’s why I think it’s best when patients come to me after they’ve seen their family doctor.
TCM looks at digestion and the digestive organs from a different, holistic, functional perspective. Through the TCM lens we look at whether an indigestion is purely a “digestion problem” or whether it has something to do with other disorders in the body and try to find the cause and restore normal digestive function.
In my practice, I often treat such disorders. In our initial consultation, I ask questions that help me determine the underlying pattern of symptoms. What is that feeling exactly when the symptoms appear? What seems to trigger or make it worse? What makes it better? When do the symptoms mainly appear? Do emotions, stress, heat, cold, raw versus cooked food, or (if applicable) the menstrual cycle play a role?
It’s also important to look at the body as a whole: do you have other problems that occur with indigestion, e.g. headaches, dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations or palpitations, etc.? How do you generally feel in different weather conditions – wind, cold, heat, humidity, dryness?
After answering these questions, I check my first impression with a pulse and stomach palpation as well as a tongue examination. The results of these investigations can indicate or rule out patterns. Then I diagnose your pattern according to TCM.
I use all available TCM therapy approaches for my patients with digestive disorders. Acupuncture is almost always at the heart of my treatments. I often also use moxibustion, massage, and/or medical Qigong during the appointment, depending on the patient’s condition. I am happy to offer nutritional advice when and where it may be helpful. TCM herbal medicine is often used in between appointments when it is appropriate for the patient.
How long does a course of treatment last? I can assess this after the first appointment – it depends, among other things, on how long you have been suffering from your symptoms, how intense the symptoms are, how complicated the situation is, and whether other diseases or comorbidities are present.
Upcoming Blog Posts
The following topics will be covered in upcoming blog posts. Until then, I invite you to read about other topics covered in TCM or see what else has been discussed on my blog.
- Autoimmune
- Chronic Fatigue
- Diagnosis – East and West
- Skin Conditions
- Cancer (Adjunctive Therapy)
- Menstrual Problems
- Migraines
- Mental and emotional complaints
- Pain
- Stress and burnout
- Urogenital
- Digestive Problems
- Post-viral Syndrome
Questions?
Tuesday: 9:00 – 18:00
Wednesday: 9:00 – 18:00
Thursday: 9:00 – 18:00
Friday: 9:00 – 13:00
09183 / 949 0588