Acupuncture Shows Promise in Treating Acid Reflux Disease

 

By: Sam Gaines

 

Although the cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is still unknown, there are treatments available on the market to help with the symptoms and perhaps even repair some of the tissue damage. The problem is one of side effects and limited effectiveness for all the current treatments.

 

A 2005 Taiwanese study reported in the American Journal of Physiology—Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology opened eyes by pointing to the effectiveness of electrical acupoint stimulation 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.

 

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 2005