Although the cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is still unknown, there are drugs available on the market for the symptoms. The problems with these medications are the side effects and their limited effectiveness.
A Taiwanese study reported in the American Journal of Physiology—Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology points to the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing the key mechanism of GERD, transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs). This important muscle allows food to pass into the stomach when working normally. In people who have GERD, the muscle relaxes at the wrong times, allowing stomach acid to churn up into the esophagus and resulting in heartburn symptoms.
On applying only mild stimulation to the acupuncture point on the wrist known as Neiguan, researchers were able to reduce the frequency of TLESRs from six to 3.5 an hour in research subjects. That’s almost half the amount. Sham stimulation of a hip point produced no comparable change.
Acid reflux or GERD is a condition we treat often at our Minneapolis acupuncture clinic. If you or a loved one need help with this uncomfortable health problem please call us at 952-831-8080 for relief. Or go to our contact page.
Source: American Journal of Physiology—Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
