If you suffer from digestive problems, you are not alone. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, “60-70 million Americans are suffering from gastrointestinal (GI) diseases,” and “nearly 40% of Americans have stopped routine activities in the last year due to uncomfortable bowel symptoms.”
Indigestion, heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation affect millions of individuals worldwide, causing significant discomfort and impacting daily lives. Many of these symptoms fall into the category of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID), which include chronic dyspepsia (indigestion), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and constipation. These disorders are not associated with any structural or biochemical abnormalities; in other words, the exact cause of these symptoms is not well understood.
There are multiple pharmacological treatment options for FGIDs, but they have limited efficacy and many side effects. Because of this, many patients look for alternative options to find some relief.
A meta-analysis published in 2021 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology sheds light on the potential benefits of acupuncture in managing FGID.
The study included data from 61 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 9,447 participants diagnosed with FGID. RCTs are considered the gold standard in clinical research because they randomly assign participants to either the treatment or control group, minimizing bias. By pooling results from several RCTs, a meta-analysis increases the sample size, offering stronger and more generalizable conclusions about the treatment’s impact.
The treatments in the studies varied, including manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and acupuncture combined with moxibustion.
Key Findings
The meta-analysis revealed several significant findings:
- Acupuncture vs. Pharmacotherapy: Acupuncture was significantly more effective than pharmacotherapy in improving symptoms of FGIDs. The pooled results indicated that acupuncture had a higher symptom improvement rate compared to various medications used in the control groups.
- Acupuncture vs. Placebo: Acupuncture also outperformed placebo acupuncture in symptom relief. This finding suggests that the therapeutic effects of acupuncture are not merely due to placebo effects.
- Acupuncture as an Adjuvant Intervention to Pharmacological Treatments: Acupuncture improved medication efficacy.
- Safety and Adverse Events: The incidence of adverse events was lower in the acupuncture groups compared to pharmacotherapy. No serious adverse events were reported, highlighting the safety of acupuncture as a treatment option.
How Does Acupuncture Work for These Conditions?
The exact mechanism of how acupuncture works for FGID remains unclear. However, different studies have shown that acupuncture has effects on:
- Regulating brain activity
- Controlling the brain-gut axis
- The release of gastrointestinal hormones
- Gastrointestinal motility, increasing or decreasing it as necessary, thus helping alleviate constipation or diarrhea
- Microbiota management: Acupuncture can inhibit the growth of undesirable bacteria and increase the beneficial ones
The findings from this meta-analysis provide evidence that supports the use of acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for FGIDs. If you or anyone you know is struggling with indigestion, IBS, or functional constipation, you may benefit from incorporating acupuncture into your life. As always, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your health needs.
You can refer to the full study in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology for more detailed information.
References:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jgh.15645
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1223742/full
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