Acupuncture for Digestive Issues

Digestive symptoms can be disruptive, unpredictable, and honestly exhausting. If you’re dealing with bloating after meals, acid reflux that flares at night, irregular bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or stress-related stomach discomfort, you’re not alone. Many people in Campbell and throughout the South Bay and San Jose area live with chronic digestive issues that don’t always fully improve with diet changes, supplements, or standard medications alone.

Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), functional dyspepsia, and chronic constipation are increasingly common. Even when testing is normal, symptoms can persist, affecting energy, mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.

At Dr. Cindi Ignatovsky’s Campbell practice, acupuncture is used as a supportive, whole-person approach to digestive health. Rather than simply masking symptoms, treatment focuses on helping the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract regulate more effectively. The goal is to reduce inflammation and irritation, improve motility and digestive coordination, and support healthier responses to stress, food triggers, and daily demands.

Over time, many patients report that their digestion feels more predictable and less reactive, with fewer flare-ups, less bloating, and more consistent bowel habits. Acupuncture is often used alongside conventional care as part of a comprehensive digestive wellness plan.

Digestive Conditions Commonly Treated with Acupuncture

Digestive concerns often overlap, which is why many people seek care for more than one symptom at a time. Acupuncture is commonly used as supportive care for a wide range of digestive disorders and functional gastrointestinal symptoms, including:

Bloating and Abdominal Discomfort | Bloating can be connected to slowed digestion, constipation patterns, food sensitivities, changes in gut bacteria, hormonal shifts, or stress that tightens the abdomen and disrupts normal motility. Some people feel bloated after nearly every meal; others notice it fluctuates with their menstrual cycle, work stress, or travel.

Acupuncture may help by supporting healthy digestive motility and reducing the nervous system overactivity that can amplify normal digestive sensations. Many patients appreciate that treatment addresses the discomfort itself — pressure, cramping, and that heavy “stuck” feeling — not just food triggers.

Acid Reflux and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) | Reflux is not always as simple as “too much acid.” It can involve delayed stomach emptying, lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction, diaphragmatic tension, or stress patterns that aggravate the upper digestive tract.

Some people feel fine during the day but struggle at night. Others notice reflux symptoms spike during high-pressure weeks. Acupuncture is commonly used to support digestive coordination and calm the stress response that can worsen GERD symptoms. For patients caught in a cycle of flare-ups, acupuncture may be part of a broader, integrative treatment plan.

Constipation | Occasional constipation happens, but chronic constipation can feel like a constant battle, especially when it’s accompanied by bloating, discomfort, or a sense of incomplete elimination.

Constipation may be influenced by stress, dehydration, low fiber intake, hormonal changes, reduced physical activity, medications, or slowed intestinal motility. Acupuncture may help support bowel regularity by influencing the autonomic nervous system and improving digestive coordination, particularly when symptoms fluctuate with stress or life demands.

Diarrhea and Loose Stools | Frequent loose stools can be tied to stress, inflammation, food triggers, post-infectious changes, or functional digestive disorders. Some people notice urgency during busy mornings, before meetings, or while commuting. Others experience post-meal rushing or unpredictable flare-ups that affect confidence and social plans.

Acupuncture is often used to help regulate gut function and reduce the “fight-or-flight” response that can drive urgency and sensitivity. The goal is steadier, more regulated digestion, not simply swinging from one extreme to another.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) | IBS symptoms vary and may include constipation, diarrhea, cramping, bloating, or alternating patterns. What makes IBS especially frustrating is how inconsistent and stress-sensitive it can be.

Acupuncture is frequently used as supportive care for irritable bowel syndrome because it may help regulate the gut-brain axis (the communication pathway between the digestive system and the nervous system). Many patients report fewer flare-ups, reduced cramping, less urgency, and improved tolerance to stress over time.

Crohn’s Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) | Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight changes, and periods of remission and flare.

Acupuncture is not a replacement for medical management of Crohn’s disease or other forms of IBD. However, it can be used as complementary care to help manage stress, support digestive function, and address symptoms such as pain, bloating, or irregular bowel patterns during stable phases of the condition. Treatment is coordinated with a patient’s medical team.

Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity | Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten triggers damage to the small intestine. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is the primary and essential treatment.

While acupuncture does not treat Celiac disease itself, some patients seek care to help manage lingering digestive discomfort, stress-related flare-ups, or secondary symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, or irregular bowel movements while maintaining their medical and dietary plan.

Nausea and “Unsettled” Digestion | Nausea can occur alongside reflux, migraines, anxiety, medication side effects, chemotherapy, pregnancy-related changes, or post-viral digestive shifts. It may come in waves, worsen after meals, or linger throughout the day. Even when nausea isn’t severe, it can affect appetite, hydration, sleep, and daily energy.

Acupuncture has been widely studied for nausea support, including postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea. It is commonly used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical care to help reduce symptom intensity and improve overall comfort. Many patients appreciate having a non-pharmaceutical option that can be safely integrated into their existing treatment plan under medical supervision.

Pregnancy-Related Nausea | Nausea during pregnancy, often called morning sickness, can range from mild queasiness to persistent, daily vomiting that interferes with hydration, nutrition, sleep, and work. Symptoms may begin early in the first trimester but can last longer for some women. Because many medications are limited during pregnancy, patients often look for safe, non-pharmaceutical options for relief.

Acupuncture is widely considered safe during pregnancy when performed by a properly trained and licensed practitioner. It has been studied for pregnancy-related nausea and is commonly used as supportive care to help reduce the frequency and intensity of nausea and vomiting. Treatment focuses on calming the nervous system, improving gastric regulation, and supporting overall maternal comfort. Many pregnant patients appreciate having a gentle, drug-free approach that can be integrated alongside their obstetric care.

Stress-Related Digestive Symptoms

If your stomach “holds onto” stress — tightness under the ribs, a nervous stomach, appetite changes, or bathroom urgency — you’re not imagining it. The digestive system is highly responsive to the nervous system.

Acupuncture is frequently used to help regulate the autonomic nervous system and support a steadier digestive rhythm. For many South Bay patients balancing demanding schedules, this is a very real and practical issue: digestion often changes when life gets busy.

How Acupuncture Supports Digestive Function

Digestion is regulated by a complex interaction between the autonomic nervous system, the enteric nervous system (often called the “second brain” of the gut), hormones, immune signaling, and the coordinated muscle contractions of the gastrointestinal tract.

When the body is stuck in chronic stress mode — with increased sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”) activity — digestion often becomes less efficient and more reactive. Blood flow shifts away from the gut. Motility can become either sluggish or overly rapid. Sensitivity to normal digestive sensations may increase. Many people notice they tolerate foods differently depending on stress levels, sleep quality, or workload. Others experience persistent symptoms despite normal lab tests or imaging, which can be frustrating and discouraging.

Acupuncture is used to help regulate key physiological systems that influence gastrointestinal function, including:

• Modulating the autonomic nervous system
  Acupuncture may help shift the body toward parasympathetic (“rest-and-digest”) dominance, supporting improved gastric secretion, enzyme activity, and coordinated intestinal movement.

• Supporting vagus nerve activity and the gut-brain axis
  The vagus nerve plays a central role in digestive signaling between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract. Research suggests acupuncture may influence vagal tone, which can help regulate motility, reduce nausea, and improve digestive coordination.

• Improving gastrointestinal motility
  Acupuncture has been studied for its effects on delayed gastric emptying, constipation, and functional bowel disorders by influencing smooth muscle activity and enteric nervous system signaling.

• Reducing visceral hypersensitivity
  In conditions like IBS, the digestive tract can become overly sensitive to normal stretching and movement. Acupuncture may help reduce pain signaling and sensitivity within the gut.

• Modulating inflammatory pathways
  Emerging research suggests acupuncture can influence inflammatory mediators and immune signaling, which may be relevant in certain chronic digestive conditions when used as complementary care.

• Decreasing stress-related cortisol and sympathetic overactivation
  By calming the stress response, acupuncture may reduce urgency, cramping, reflux flares, and stress-triggered symptom cycles.

This systems-based approach can be especially valuable for people who feel like their symptoms are unpredictable or “all over the place.” Instead of chasing one symptom at a time, acupuncture care focuses on regulation — how your nervous system responds to stress, how sleep affects digestion, how meals move through your system, and what patterns trigger flare-ups.

For many patients, the goal is not simply short-term symptom relief but improved digestive resilience over time.

What to Expect at Your Acupuncture Visit

Care begins with a thorough intake focused on your digestive symptoms, health history, stress load, sleep patterns, diet, medications, and known triggers. Digestive disorders are not one-size-fits-all. Two people can both say “bloating” or “IBS,” yet have completely different nervous system patterns, motility issues, inflammatory drivers, or stress responses contributing to their symptoms.

Your treatment plan is individualized based on your presentation and goals. If you are under the care of a gastroenterologist or other medical provider, acupuncture can be coordinated as complementary support.

Treatment sessions are typically quiet and restorative. Many patients describe the experience as deeply calming, especially if they’ve been caught in a cycle of stress and symptom flare-ups. Because the nervous system plays such a central role in digestive regulation, this downshifting effect is often part of the therapeutic process.

The number and frequency of sessions depend on how long symptoms have been present, their intensity, and whether contributing factors such as chronic stress, hormonal changes, post-infectious shifts, or ongoing inflammation are involved.

Some patients notice early shifts such as improved sleep, reduced tension, fewer flare-ups, or milder symptoms. For others, progress builds gradually over a series of treatments. The focus is sustainable change: improving daily comfort, increasing digestive predictability, and reducing the disruption

Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture for Digestive Issues

Is acupuncture safe for digestive disorders? Yes. Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a licensed practitioner. It is commonly used as complementary care for conditions such as IBS, GERD, chronic constipation, nausea, and functional digestive disorders. If you are under the care of a gastroenterologist or taking medications, acupuncture can typically be integrated safely alongside conventional treatment.

How many acupuncture treatments are needed for digestive issues?The number of sessions depends on how long symptoms have been present, their severity, and whether stress or other health conditions are contributing factors. Some patients notice improvements within a few visits, while chronic digestive conditions may require a series of treatments to support lasting regulation.

Can acupuncture help IBS?Acupuncture is frequently used as supportive care for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Research suggests it may help regulate the gut-brain axis, reduce visceral hypersensitivity, and calm stress-related symptom flares. Many patients report reduced cramping, bloating, urgency, or improved bowel regularity over time.

Can I receive acupuncture while taking digestive medications? In most cases, yes. Acupuncture does not interfere with acid reducers, motility agents, anti-nausea medications, or other digestive prescriptions. It is often used as a complementary therapy. Always inform your practitioner about any medications or medical diagnoses so care can be appropriately coordinated.

Does acupuncture hurt?Acupuncture needles are very thin — much finer than injection needles. Most patients feel minimal discomfort. Many describe sessions as relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment.

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy for nausea?Yes. When performed by a licensed practitioner trained in prenatal care, acupuncture is widely considered safe during pregnancy. It has been studied for pregnancy-related nausea and is commonly used as a non-pharmaceutical support option alongside obstetric care.

Digestive Support for Campbell and the South Bay

If you’re in Campbell, San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, or the surrounding South Bay Area and are looking for a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to digestive support, acupuncture may be a helpful next step, particularly if stress sensitivity, chronic symptoms, or unpredictability has been part of your experience.

This is not about quick fixes or unrealistic promises. It’s about supporting nervous system regulation, digestive coordination, and long-term resilience so your body can function with greater consistency and less reactivity.

Dr. Cindi Ignatovsky, DACM, L.Ac., has more than 20 years of clinical experience and provides individualized acupuncture care from her Campbell practice. Treatment is tailored to the person, not just the diagnosis.

To schedule a consultation, text 408-761-6251 or click here. •