Gracey Holistic Health

shakuju therapy

Help heal GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and other digestive issues naturally

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Did you know that your digestive system is comprised of 10 different organs that cover about 30 feet and contain over 20 different cell types? That’s a lot of specialized work happening in your torso!

If you’re having digestive issues, that means there could be a whole lot of places where the system isn’t working properly. Anything from a poor diet, to stress, to a bacterial infection, to inflammation of the digestive tract could be causing you loads (no pun intended) of problems. GERD, IBS, Celiac disease, and gallstones all stem from different digestive problems.

How holistic medicine can help digestive issues

Whatever the issue, the practice of acupuncture looks at your body as an entire system to determine the problem—including the 10 different digestive organs. That means that holistic medicine can be particularly helpful in diagnosing and treating a range of digestive issues.

A few of the common ways that digestive issues are treated with holistic medicine include:

A carefully curated diet

Across both Western and Eastern medicine, it’s understood that what we put into our bodies is a leading influence on the health of our guts. In fact, Chinese and Japanese herbal medicines have been used in East Asia for thousands of years to help manage and improve function of our digestion.

You may have seen these natural remedies before:

  • Ginger: Relieves nausea
  • Turmeric: Has anti-inflammatory properties
  • Milk thistle: Helps sluggish digestive systems
  • Slippery elm: Soothes acid reflux
  • Probiotics: Regulates digestion

When combined with an improved, high-fiber and hydrated diet, herbal supplement provided by a holistic healer can go a long way.

Yoga or stretching

Just like with your muscles, your digestive system benefits from being opened and moved to stimulate energy into the system. Spinal twists in particular are helpful, as you can even imagine your organs being “wringed” clean.

Try this routine and check the others to help get your body and digestive system back on track.

Targeted bodywork techniques such as tui na (a style of massage similar to shiatsu) and gua sha (a scraping-style of massage with a dull object) have also been helpful to patients at Gracey Holistic Health.

Acupuncture

There are multiple acupuncture points on the body that relate specifically to each part of the digestive system, ranging from your hand, to your elbow, to your foot, and (yes) to your stomach. If you’re experiencing problems, try a few out for yourself:

  • Point 1, known as Conception Vessel (CV) 6 or termed the “sea of energy.” Two finger (thumb) widths directly below your belly button, slowly apply pressure with the tip of your finger. You can practice while sitting up or lying down.
  • Point 2, known as Large Intestine (LI) 4 or “union in the valley.” Place your thumb on the top of your other hand, in the hollow or raised muscular (hand gripped) space between your index finger and thumb. Make small circular motions with your thumb. Be sure not to clench your fist while pressing this point when treating it, as this could cause unneeded discomfort.

Or, come in and receive a more comprehensive treatment! My style of non-insertive acupuncture, Shakuju Therapy, is particularly effective for a range of digestive issues.

In addition to acupuncture and other holistic approaches noted above, complementary therapies, including moxibustion, magnets, essential oils and health and lifestyle changes can be quite beneficial in helping ease digestive problems.

Demystifying the needle

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If you’ve ever played golf—or seen people playing golf—you know that there isn’t just one type of club. Each club serves a different purpose, depending on where the golfer is on the course.

When we think about acupuncture, needles are much the same. There are many different types, of varying thickness, and flexibility, that are designed to treat the patient in different ways.

The filiform needle

image of a filiform acupunture needle

The most common acupuncture needle is called a filiform needle—meaning threadlike. Usually these acupuncture needles range in length between 30 and 40 MM and typically can be between .1 and .25mm in diameter or for discussion let’s call it thick. Most of what I use are .16mm thick. For reference, an average piece of hair is .08mm thick. At this thickness, you don’t bleed when the needle is inserted or removed—it’s too thin! These needles are usually made of stainless steel, which is tough material that can bend and still remains sharp.

Usually, these needles are placed in a plastic tube. The tube allows the practitioner to hold and target the needle to the acupuncture point, then tap it down the tube into the skin quickly but gently. When inserted effectively, acupuncture becomes less painful because the needle quickly passes the pain-perceiving nerve cells on the top most, superficial layer of the skin.

Needle insertion depth varies according to the style of acupuncture practiced. My insertion depths typically vary between a few millimeters up to about 5 millimeters or about ¼ inch. However, these needles don’t necessarily need to be inserted. In fact, the Shakuju Therapy needle, which is .2mm thick, is rarely inserted. It is specifically designed with an oval point, so as to not to cause discomfort when the skin is touched by its point.

The Shakuju Teishin needle

picture of a shakuju therapy needle

In Shakuju Therapy, we use a particular type of needle that’s called a Teishin needle, specifically designed for this style of acupuncture. This needle is thicker than a filiform needle and has a blunt tip. Teishin needles are only meant to stimulate acupuncture points on top of the skin (or on the ear).

Other special needles

While used less often at Gracey Holistic Health, there are other types of needles used for more specific purposes.

Intradermal needles and press tacks are very short needles and even thinner than most filiform needles. They are typically used on sensitive parts of the body where minimal needle penetration is needed (like the ear) and other parts of the body. They are kept in place by adhesive cover to extend the treatment for a number of days. The seven star needle is an arrangement of seven filiform needles, used by tapping quickly to stimulate a important acupuncture points or areas of the body.

Needle-shy? No problem.

At Gracey Holistic Health in Boston, we can show you the different types of needles used in your treatment. There’s nothing mystical. There’s nothing to be scared of. It’s just another tool used to help you on your way to health.