Stomach & digestion
Acupuncture for Nausea
A stomach that feels unsettled, no appetite and the feeling that you might vomit at any moment. Nausea may seem harmless, but anyone who lives with it every day knows how much energy it takes. Acupuncture, laser acupuncture and acupressure can be used to support the body, so that the stomach can settle again.
What is nausea?
Nausea is an unpleasant, unsettled feeling in the stomach area, often with the urge to vomit. It frequently goes together with poor appetite, a listless feeling, excess saliva, sweating, abdominal pain or cramps. Nausea is usually harmless and passes on its own. Sometimes, however, it persists or keeps coming back.
Nausea arises when the vomiting centre in the brain is stimulated. That stimulus can come from the stomach and bowel, but also from the balance organ, from the blood (for example through medicines or hormones) or from the brain itself, as with stress, anxiety or migraine.
Common causes include reflux, a stomach or bowel infection such as stomach flu or food poisoning, certain medicines, car or sea sickness, heavy or fatty meals, overeating, alcohol, migraine, stress and pregnancy. Recurring nausea without a clear cause is also called functional nausea.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Nausea from a TCM perspective
Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, the energy of the Stomach should flow downward: food is received and passed on. With nausea and vomiting, that energy flows upward instead. This is called rebellious Stomach Qi. Treatment therefore focuses on settling the Stomach energy and on what causes the disturbance, such as tension or weak digestion.
Liver Qi invading the Stomach
Gan Qi Fan WeiWithin TCM, stress, frustration and tension can cause Liver Qi to stagnate and then interfere with the Stomach. This is associated with nausea that worsens with tension or emotions, sour regurgitation, frequent belching and a pressing feeling under the ribs.
Weakness of Spleen and Stomach
Pi Wei Xu RuoWhen the Spleen and Stomach are weakened within TCM, digestion runs slowly. This is associated with vague nausea after eating, poor appetite, feeling full quickly, fatigue and a pale complexion.
Phlegm-Damp in the Stomach
Tan Shi Zhong ZuWithin TCM, Phlegm can accumulate in the middle region. This is associated with nausea with a lot of saliva or mucus, a heavy and full feeling in the upper abdomen, dizziness and a heavy head.
How can acupuncture and laser acupuncture help with nausea?
During the intake, we look at when and how the nausea occurs, what makes it worse or better and which other factors play a role, such as stress, fatigue or diet. Based on this, a treatment plan is drawn up that focuses on calming the Stomach and supporting the whole body.
- 01Targeted acupuncture: very fine, sterile needles are used on points that are applied within TCM to settle rebellious Stomach Qi, support digestion and calm the nervous system. If tension or fatigue plays a role, this is also included in the treatment.
- 02Laser acupuncture: the same points can also be treated needle-free with therapeutic laser light. A comfortable alternative if you prefer not to have needles or quickly feel unwell.
- 03Ear acupuncture: the ear has points that within TCM are associated with the stomach and the nervous system. At Bai Kang these are always treated with the laser, never with needles.
- 04Acupressure: a well-known point for nausea lies on the inside of the wrist. You will learn how to massage this and other points yourself when nausea comes up.
- 05Diet and lifestyle: attention is given to what and when you eat. Small, regular meals, not starting the day on an empty stomach and enough rest often help.
Prefer no needles?
Every treatment can also be carried out completely needle-free with laser acupuncture, in which the same points are treated with therapeutic laser light. Ear acupuncture is always carried out with the laser. Acupressure, which also uses no needles, can be used as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can acupuncture help with nausea?
Acupuncture can be used as support for nausea. Research has been done into acupuncture and acupressure for various forms of nausea, in which some participants reported less nausea. At the same time, there are people who notice little difference. How you respond only becomes clear in practice.
Do you also treat pregnancy sickness?
No. Bai Kang does not treat pregnant women. If you suffer from nausea during pregnancy, please contact your midwife or GP. They can help you further or refer you. If you are looking for a moment of relaxation during pregnancy, you are welcome to book a pregnancy massage at Sompong Thai Massage.
Does acupuncture also help with car or sea sickness?
For car and sea sickness, acupressure on the point on the inside of the wrist is often used, for example with a pressure band. If you often get travel sick, you can learn to massage this point. Treatment can also be used if you are prone to nausea outside of travelling as well.
Can I do anything myself about nausea?
Yes. You will learn an acupressure point on the inside of the wrist that you can massage yourself. Small, regular meals, drinking small sips, fresh air and enough rest also often help. Many people also find ginger pleasant.
How many treatments are needed?
This varies per person and depends on the cause and how long the symptoms have existed. After the first treatments, we review together how you respond and what a suitable follow-up would be.
Related
Related complaints & patterns
Personal Treatment Plan
Nauseous time and again?
During a first appointment, we look at your symptoms, what keeps them going and which form of acupuncture suits you best.