Positive Health Online

Abstract

OUYANG and CHEN, Transneuronix and Veterans Research and Education Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA, have reviewed (123 references) the role of acupuncture in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Abstract: The prevalence of one or more functional gastrointestinal disorders is estimated to be as high as 70% in the general population. Since functional gastrointestinal disorders are diagnosed based on symptoms and the exact aetiologies for most of them are not completely known, it is not unusual that the treatment for these disorders is unsatisfactory. Therefore alternative therapies are attractive to both patients and practitioners. Acupuncture has been practised in China for several millennia, and is being increasingly accepted by practitioners and patients in the Western world. A considerable number of studies have been performed on acupuncture for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders and underlying mechanisms. This article reviews available data in the literature on the applications and mechanisms of acupuncture for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders, including functional oesophageal disorders, nausea and vomiting, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, etc. A summary is provided based on the quality and quantity of published studies regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in treating these various disorders.

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References

Ouyang H, Chen JD. Review article: therapeutic roles of acupuncture in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 20 (8): 831-841, Oct 15, 2004.