Digestive disorders - Wokingham, Berkshire

1. Overview

Digestive disorders affect the organs of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract: the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus, as well as the accessory digestive organs including the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. They are among the most prevalent health complaints in the UK, with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affecting an estimated 10–20% of the population at any one time.

While conventional medicine manages many digestive conditions effectively, a significant number of patients experience only partial relief from standard treatments, or find that side effects limit long-term use of medication. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer well-established, evidence-supported alternatives and complements to conventional care for a broad range of digestive problems.

2. Types of digestive disorder

The digestive disorders most commonly seen in my clinic include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — a functional disorder of the gut characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or both). IBS is one of the most common reasons patients seek acupuncture for digestive problems.
Acid reflux and GERD — gastro-oesophageal reflux disease causes heartburn, regurgitation and chest discomfort through the backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus. Many patients seek acupuncture when proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) provide insufficient relief.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) — a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the lining of the large intestine and rectum, causing diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and urgency.
Crohn’s disease — another form of IBD that can affect any part of the GI tract. Like UC, it involves periods of flare and remission, and is difficult to manage with medication alone.
Functional dyspepsia — recurring indigestion, upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, early satiety and bloating without an identifiable structural cause.
Gastroparesis — delayed gastric emptying causing nausea, vomiting, bloating and early fullness, often associated with diabetes or following abdominal surgery.
Constipation and diarrhoea — whether as standalone presentations or part of IBS, altered bowel habit is one of the most frequent digestive complaints and responds well to TCM treatment.

3. Symptoms

Digestive disorders present with a wide range of symptoms depending on which part of the GI tract is affected. Common symptoms include:

Abdominal pain or cramping, often relieved or worsened by bowel movements
Bloating and abdominal distension
Heartburn and acid regurgitation
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between both
Mucus in the stool
Urgency or incomplete evacuation
Excessive wind and flatulence
Loss of appetite or early satiety
Fatigue associated with poor nutrient absorption

Many patients with digestive disorders also experience anxiety, depression and stress alongside their gut symptoms, reflecting the strong bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain — the gut-brain axis — which TCM has long recognised through the relationship between the Liver and the Spleen.

4. Causes

Digestive disorders have multiple potential causes, which often combine in an individual patient. Common contributing factors include:

Stress and emotional factors — stress and anxiety directly affect gut motility, secretion and the gut microbiome via the gut-brain axis. This is one of the most significant drivers of functional gut disorders such as IBS.
Poor diet — diets high in processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats and low in fibre disrupt the gut microbiome and impair digestive function.
Food intolerances and sensitivities — gluten, lactose and certain fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs) trigger symptoms in many patients with IBS and functional dyspepsia.
Gut dysbiosis — an imbalance in the gut microbiome, often following antibiotic use, illness or poor diet, is increasingly recognised as a driver of IBS, IBD and other digestive conditions.
Infections and post-infectious changes — bacterial or viral gastroenteritis can trigger post-infectious IBS, with altered gut motility and heightened visceral sensitivity persisting long after the infection has resolved.
Excessive alcohol — damages the stomach lining, liver and pancreas and disrupts normal digestive function.
Medications — NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen irritate the stomach lining; antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiome; and long-term PPI use can impair nutrient absorption.
Sedentary lifestyle — physical inactivity slows gut motility and is associated with constipation and sluggish digestion.

5. Digestive disorders in Chinese medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the Spleen and Stomach are the central organs of digestion and the primary source of Qi and Blood. The Spleen is responsible for transforming and transporting food into nutrients; the Stomach receives and ripens food for onward processing. When these organs are weakened or disrupted, digestive disorders arise.

The most common TCM patterns underlying digestive disorders include:

Spleen Qi deficiency — weak digestive function, bloating after eating, loose stools, fatigue and poor appetite. This is often seen in patients with long-standing IBS or functional dyspepsia.
Liver Qi stagnation invading the Spleen — the classic pattern behind stress-related IBS. The Liver, responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, becomes constrained by emotional tension and attacks the Spleen, causing cramping, pain, alternating bowel habit and symptoms that worsen with stress.
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine — seen in inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis, presenting with urgent, loose stools with mucus or blood, burning abdominal pain and a sensation of heat.
Stomach Fire or Rebellious Stomach Qi — acid reflux, heartburn, nausea and belching, where Stomach Qi rises upward rather than descending as it should.
Kidney Yang deficiency — a pattern associated with early-morning diarrhoea (known as “cock-crow diarrhoea”), cold sensation in the abdomen and chronic digestive weakness.

Treatment is directed at the specific TCM pattern identified during consultation, rather than at the biomedical diagnosis alone. This highly individualised approach is one of the key reasons why TCM can be effective where one-size-fits-all conventional treatments have failed. To read more about the classical TCM approach to the Spleen and Stomach, see my academic article on disorders of the Spleen and Stomach, translated from a Chinese master text.

6. Acupuncture for digestive disorders

Acupuncture can help with a wide range of digestive conditions by regulating gastrointestinal motility, reducing gut hypersensitivity, modulating the autonomic nervous system and addressing the emotional factors that so frequently drive or amplify digestive symptoms.

Acupuncture for IBS

IBS is the digestive condition with the largest body of acupuncture research. A comprehensive network meta-analysis of 27 RCTs involving 2,141 patients found that both needle acupuncture and electroacupuncture were superior to standard pharmacological therapy in improving global IBS symptoms (Wu et al., 2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2022 in Frontiers in Public Health concluded that acupuncture and moxibustion together are beneficial for symptom severity, abdominal pain and quality of life in IBS (Yang et al., 2022). A more recent 2025 meta-analysis in PLOS One confirmed that acupuncture significantly improves quality of life and IBS symptom severity scores compared with control interventions (Guan et al., 2025).

Acupuncture appears particularly effective for the anxiety and depression that frequently accompany IBS. A 2024 meta-analysis of 16 RCTs involving 1,305 patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS and comorbid anxiety and depression found significant beneficial effects of acupuncture on both gut and mental health outcomes (Chen et al., 2024).

Acupuncture for acid reflux and GERD

Acupuncture can reduce the severity and frequency of acid reflux symptoms by strengthening lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) tone and improving oesophageal motility. A 2023 randomised controlled trial found that acupuncture significantly increased LES length and pressure in patients with refractory GERD who had not responded adequately to proton pump inhibitors (Tang et al., 2023). Acupuncture also reduces visceral hypersensitivity and addresses the anxiety that commonly amplifies reflux symptoms.

Acupuncture for gastroparesis and gut motility

Acupuncture, particularly at acupoints such as ST36 (Zusanli) and PC6 (Neiguan), has well-documented prokinetic effects on the upper GI tract, accelerating gastric emptying and improving oesophageal motility. This makes it a valuable treatment for gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia as well as reflux.

7. Chinese herbal medicine for digestive disorders

Chinese herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat disorders of the Spleen and Stomach. For more chronic and inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions — including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease — I find that Chinese herbal medicine is frequently more effective than acupuncture alone, and the combination of both therapies produces the best results.

Chinese herbs for IBS

My academic article on disorders of the Spleen and Stomach covers the classical Chinese herbal approach to digestive dysfunction in detail. Classical formulas for IBS are tailored to the individual’s TCM pattern: formulas that harmonise the Liver and Spleen for stress-related IBS (e.g. Xiao Yao San), or formulas that tonify Spleen Qi for predominantly deficiency patterns (e.g. Si Jun Zi Tang).

Chinese herbs for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

The research base for Chinese herbal medicine in inflammatory bowel disease is substantial. A comprehensive review of 2,311 clinical studies of Chinese herbal medicine for ulcerative colitis — over 90% of which were RCTs — found that the most commonly used TCM pattern was Large Intestine Damp-Heat, and that herbal formulas were widely used both as standalone treatment and alongside conventional medicine (Zhang et al., 2022). An evidence mapping of 73 systematic reviews of TCM for UC published by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine found generally positive effectiveness trends across the body of evidence (Sun et al., 2021).

I prescribe pharmaceutical-grade Chinese herbal granules from Sun Ten (Taiwan), which are independently tested for purity and consistency. All herbs are prescribed following a full Chinese medicine consultation and are tailored to the individual patient’s pattern of disharmony. For patients who cannot attend the clinic in person, I offer online Chinese herbal medicine consultations.

8. Chinese food therapy for digestive disorders

Chinese food therapy is an integral part of TCM and plays an important supporting role in treating digestive disorders. Foods are classified according to their energetic properties — their warming or cooling effect on the body, their ability to tonify Qi or resolve Dampness — and dietary recommendations are made on the basis of the patient’s TCM pattern.

For example, a patient with Spleen Qi deficiency would be advised to favour warm, cooked, easily digestible foods and to avoid cold, raw foods and dairy products that create Dampness. A patient with Liver Qi stagnation would be advised to reduce stress, avoid skipping meals and include foods that move Qi such as dark leafy greens, rosemary and small amounts of bitter foods.

9. Treatment at my clinic

I treat digestive disorders at my clinics in Wokingham, Berkshire. I also offer online Chinese herbal medicine consultations for patients who cannot attend in person, which is particularly convenient for those managing ongoing conditions such as IBS or IBD.

Treatment typically combines acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with dietary and lifestyle advice integrated into each consultation. For patients with inflammatory bowel disease, treatment is typically coordinated alongside their gastroenterology care rather than replacing it. For full details of treatment costs, please see the prices page.

10. Frequently asked questions

Can acupuncture help with IBS?

Yes. Acupuncture is one of the best-evidenced complementary treatments for IBS, with multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses showing benefits for abdominal pain, symptom severity and quality of life. It is particularly effective when IBS is driven or aggravated by stress and anxiety, as acupuncture addresses both the gut symptoms and the emotional component simultaneously.

Can acupuncture help with acid reflux and heartburn?

Yes. Acupuncture can reduce reflux symptoms by improving lower oesophageal sphincter tone and oesophageal motility, and by reducing the stress and visceral hypersensitivity that amplify reflux discomfort. It can be used alongside or as an alternative to proton pump inhibitors, particularly in patients with refractory GERD.

Is Chinese herbal medicine better than acupuncture for digestive problems?

It depends on the condition. For functional disorders such as IBS and functional dyspepsia, acupuncture alone often produces very good results. For more chronic inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, Chinese herbal medicine tends to have a deeper and more sustained effect. Using both therapies together typically gives the best outcomes.

How many sessions of acupuncture do I need for digestive disorders?

Most patients begin to notice improvement within three to six sessions. Research suggests that a course of four to six weeks of treatment — typically weekly or twice-weekly sessions initially — produces the most consistent benefits for digestive conditions. Maintenance treatment every four to six weeks can then help sustain improvement for chronic conditions.

Can acupuncture treat ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease?

Acupuncture and moxibustion can help manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of flares in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and Chinese herbal medicine has a substantial evidence base for ulcerative colitis in particular. These treatments are best used as a complement to gastroenterology care rather than as a replacement for prescribed medication during active disease.

Can I have an online consultation for digestive problems?

Yes. I offer online Chinese herbal medicine consultations for patients who cannot travel to my clinics in Wokingham. Chinese herbal medicine can be prescribed and dispensed by post following a remote consultation, making it a practical option for managing ongoing digestive conditions.

11. References

David L. Diehl. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Feb 1999. 27–45. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.1999.5.27.

Takahashi, T. J Gastroenterol (2006) 41: 408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-006-1773-6.

Jieyun Yin, Jiande D.Z. Chen. Gastrointestinal motility disorders and acupuncture. Autonomic Neuroscience, Volume 157, Issues 1–2, 2010, Pages 31–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2010.03.007.

Wu IXY, Wong CHL, Ho RST, et al. Acupuncture and related therapies for treating irritable bowel syndrome: overview of systematic reviews and network meta-analysis. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. 2019;12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756284818820438.

Yang Y, Rao K, Zhan K, et al. Clinical evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Public Health. 2022;10:1022145. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1022145.

Guan X, et al. The effect of acupuncture on quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS One. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314678.

Chen Y, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture treatment for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with comorbid anxiety and depression: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39560589/.

Tang Yuming, Zhao Yuping, Lin Yihan, et al. Acupuncture improved the function of the lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal motility in Chinese patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: a randomized trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4645715.

Zhang X, Zhang L, Chan JCP, et al. Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: a review. Chinese Medicine. 2022;17:43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-022-00591-x.

Sun YX, Wang X, Liao X, et al. An evidence mapping of systematic reviews and meta-analysis on traditional Chinese medicine for ulcerative colitis. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2021;21:228. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03387-y.

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