02/09/2026
www.jillbrown.nl
Acupuncture can help digestive issues mainly by modulating the nervous system, improving gut motility, reducing visceral sensitivity, and influencing stress-related digestive dysfunction
How it may work physiologically
1. Regulates the gut–brain axis
Acupuncture stimulates sensory nerves that communicate with the autonomic nervous system and brain. This can influence the balance between sympathetic (“stress”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) activity. This is particularly relevant when digestive symptoms worsen with stress or anxiety.
2. Influences gut motility
Acupuncture may help regulate stomach and intestinal movement. Depending on the dysfunction, this can potentially help with:
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling of food sitting heavily
• Irregular bowel movements
3. Reduces visceral hypersensitivity
With conditions such as IBS, the gut can become overly sensitive to normal amounts of gas, stretching or intestinal movement. Acupuncture may reduce the way the nervous system processes these visceral signals, potentially reducing abdominal pain, cramping and discomfort.
4. May help nausea and reflux symptoms
Acupuncture has evidence for reducing nausea and vomiting and may influence gastric emptying and autonomic regulation. For reflux, it may be more useful when symptoms have a functional/stress-related component rather than treating the underlying mechanical cause of reflux.
5. Reduces stress and tension
The digestive system is highly responsive to emotional stress. Acupuncture can promote relaxation and may reduce stress-related autonomic activation.
This can be important in patients who say things like:
“My stomach is fine when I'm relaxed, but gets much worse when I'm stressed.”
