Digestive Disorders

Most people suffer from indigestion or other digestive disorders from time to time.  When digestive symptoms become frequent, there may be a larger issue that needs to be addressed. Common digestive problems include heartburn or acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal bacterial imbalance.  Other disorders include SIBO, ulcers, colitis, Crohn’s disease, stomach cancer, diverticulitis, and colorectal cancer.  Symptoms do vary and may include stomach pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and a change in appetite.  Causes can be widespread and may include emotional stress, poor dietary habits antibiotic or drug use, toxin exposure, or hiatal hernia.  Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional therapy are treatments that are effective to provide quick relief from symptoms while addressing the underlying cause of the condition.  At Tao of Wellness, we will work with you to relieve your digestive symptoms and to identify and address the root cause of your problem.  Treating the underlying imbalance and making dietary and lifestyle adjustments will provide lasting relief, and prevent recurrence of the problem.

How We Successfully Treat Digestive Disorders

At Tao of Wellness, we are gastrointestinal specialists and have successfully treated a variety of digestive disorders for the last 40 years.  We are an integrative clinic and work collaboratively with your gastroenterologist and others on your healing team.  Traditional Chinese Medicine not only reduces symptoms but more importantly addresses the root cause of the issue to prevent recurrence.  For example, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can treat heartburn by adjusting esophageal pressure, lowering gastric acid, and balancing the functions of the digestive organs, in addition to healing the emotional stress that often burdens the digestive system and results in these uncomfortable disorders.  Traditional over-the-counter antacid medications can alleviate the symptoms of heartburn and reflux, but they do not address the underlying issues.  Additionally, taking too many antacids can affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium, leading to malnutrition, fatigue, and irritability.  Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation and bloating are some of the many digestive disorders that are successfully resolved through the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Our practitioners will assist you in determining what may be going on in your body or your life that is creating or contributing to your digestive symptoms.  Diet, allergies, being overweight, hormonal imbalance, stress, and toxins are all factors that can affect digestive health.

Your experience at Tao of Wellness will begin with a comprehensive consultation with one of our practitioners.  We will take a detailed history and do a physical examination.  This will allow your practitioner to construct a personalized treatment plan to address your particular digestive disorder.  This may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle suggestions.  We will address any questions you have and then begin your treatment.

Our Customized Therapies for Overcoming Digestive Disorders

Customized Treatment Program
Chinese medicine is a holistic and personalized medicine.  Each patient’s treatment plan, acupuncture protocol, herbal prescription, and nutrition plan will be unique and based on the individual’s symptoms, physical and emotional constitution, and other needs.  The causes and manifestations of digestive dysfunction are numerous, and our experienced practitioners will approach each case with fresh eyes.  There are many time-tested therapies available but until we know how the whole body is functioning or malfunctioning we won’t know the best course of action for your unique body.

Acupuncture
The World Health Organization has published a long list of conditions that have been shown through controlled clinical trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture.  These include nausea, vomiting, peptic ulcer, epigastric pain, and gastritis.  At Tao of Wellness, we have been using acupuncture to treat these and many digestive disorders for decades.  Acupuncture is found to restore normal and healthy functions of the digestive system.  It also encourages proper immune function, reduces inflammation and relieves stress and tension in the body.  Learn more about acupuncture.

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine can help address functional imbalance of the digestive organs, from the mouth and esophagus all the way down to the intestines and rectum.  For example, research done in China has found that herbs like gingko biloba, licorice, aloe vera, cinnamon and angelica have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the intestinal walls.  From our experience in working with patients at Tao of Wellness, we have found that customizing Chinese herbs for each individual is the most effective way to address and relieve digestive disorders.  Learn more about Chinese herbal medicine.

Nutritional Therapy
At Tao of Wellness we offer nutritional consultations where we assess your current eating habits, and create an individualized plan for you from the ground up including custom meals and snacks.  We will also review any nutritional supplements you are taking, and when necessary, recommend a supplement strategy for you.  We have formulated a range of nutritional supplements that promote healthy digestive functions.

Nutritional Counseling
Proper diet is the most important factor in maintaining a healthy digestive system.  Eating an appropriate diet will help you to maintain your natural intestinal bacteria, which are needed for good digestion and absorption of nutrients.  Certain inflammation-inducing foods can lead to problems like irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and stomach pain.  There are many foods that can aggravate heartburn such as acidic, spicy, and greasy foods.  Also consider food allergies or intolerances you may have that are causing or exacerbating your symptoms.  Every patient receives a general nutritional guideline but during a Nutritional Consultation we’ll create a personalized eating plan, complete with meal plans and snacks consisting of specific foods for your condition, designed to help you heal and achieve lasting relief.

Nutritional Supplements
There are several supplements that can aid in proper digestive functioning including probiotics, digestive enzymes, ginger, and glandular supplements.  We will explain to you which supplements are right for you and your condition.  We will also review any supplements you are currently taking and advise you on appropriate dose and combination with your other nutrition and supplement regimens.  Learn more about nutritional therapy.

Mind Body Exercise
Stress is a common cause or aggravating factor in many digestive disorders.  For this reason, we encourage you to practice meditation and the strengthening and relaxing practices of tai qi and qi gong to calm the mind.  We can also teach you specific mind-body exercises to directly support your digestive system and alleviate your symptoms.  At Tao of Wellness you’ll find a choice of doctors certified in teaching an array of movement and meditation forms.  The right practice will be chosen and made available for you to learn.  Learn more about tai qi and qi gong.

Digestive Disorder Success Stories

I Feel So Lucky
“Dr. Mao first treated me for acid reflux. I had acid reflux for ten years. I was taking nexium in the morning and zantac at night. I had my bed on bricks to tilt my esophagus upwards. I had been tested for h-pylory and the test was negative. However my gastroenterologist said that it is very hard to detect in stool, blood or breath tests. Dr. Mao told me I did indeed have h-pylori. He gave me teas and acupuncture. The teas tasted terrible but I was determined to give it a fair chance. After 3 months I had no acid reflux. That was 3 years ago. This changed my life. If you are expecting an immediate result then eastern medicine may not be for you. Taking the teas and having acupuncture regularly takes time and commitment. Dr Mao has since treated myself and my family for many health issues. He is a truly caring, compassionate human being. I have emailed him questions at 11pm and got answers that same night. I feel so lucky to have him as my doctor.”   — Elcee C.

You Gave Me My Life and My Wife Back
“I am the husband of Stacy who’s been a patient of Tao of Wellness for a year and a half.  Stacy was going to write this but I wanted to because I was the original disbeliever.  Prior to starting with Tao of Wellness Stacy went to numerous gastroenterologists and spent many weeks in hospitals over the years, to try to control her ulcerative colitis.  Many medicines and treatments were prescribed and none of them worked.  The side effects were terrible.  Our lives were taken over by Stacy’s condition.  We couldn’t travel far because we didn’t know when her next flare-up was going to start.  Her diet was so restrictive that it was no fun to go to restaurants.  Her pain was so severe that it affected every part of her life.  Prior to her treatment, acupuncture was something I didn’t believe in.  Chinese herbs were a mystery to me and I didn’t have much faith in them.  I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have been 100% wrong.  We now have our lives back and it’s wonderful.  The acupuncture and herbs are accomplishing what the best medical doctors couldn’t.  I now am the biggest proponent of acupuncture and Chinese herbs.  Without hesitation, I recommend Tao of Wellness.  Thank you for giving me my life and my wife back.”             — Howard

Natural Healthcare for Digestive Disorders

Tao of Wellness was established in 1976 as a resource to address digestive disorders. We strive to support you in mind and body, and invite you to make an appointment for your health and wellbeing. It would be our pleasure to serve you.