Healing Digestive Conditions with Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Understanding Digestive Discomfort

The morning light filters through your window, and before your feet even touch the floor, your stomach reminds you something isn’t right. The gurgling, bloating, or sharp belly pain returns, another day of discomfort. Digestive issues are far more common than most realize and can range from mild to deeply disruptive.

Symptoms may include bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, or more complex conditions like IBS, gastritis, ulcers, colitis, or gallstones. Whether occasional or chronic, digestive imbalances can affect every aspect of your day, from your energy and mood to your confidence and connection with others.

The Impact on Daily Life

Even mild digestive discomfort can quickly become life-altering. Many people find themselves canceling plans, missing work, or avoiding meals altogether. Over time, this constant cycle of pain, worry, and fatigue can drain both the body and mind. At Deanna Carell Aesthetics + Acupuncture, we believe that true healing begins when we treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Digestive Health

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the digestive system is seen as the foundation of health, governed by the Spleen and Stomach meridians. When these organs are out of balance, it can lead to stagnation, inflammation, and poor nutrient absorption. Acupuncture and moxibustion work together to restore harmony by regulating digestive function, calming inflammation, and improving the body’s ability to transform food into energy.

What Is Moxa (Moxibustion)?

Moxa, also known as moxibustion, is an herbal therapy made from aged mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). In TCM, it is valued for its warming, strengthening, and circulatory benefits. Moxa is applied in several forms, from soft, loose moxa that’s gently rolled into small rice-sized cones, to compact sticks used in indirect warming techniques.

The warmth from moxa penetrates deeply, stimulating blood flow and qi (vital energy) through the meridians. This gentle heat can help soothe abdominal pain, relieve bloating, and strengthen the digestive system, especially when used alongside acupuncture.

Acupuncture and Moxa: A Restorative Duo

During treatment, your practitioner may apply acupuncture needles to key digestive points and warm them with moxa. The combination helps regulate gut motility, reduce inflammation, and calm the nervous system. It also supports the body’s stress response, a key factor in digestive health.

This integrative approach not only relieves symptoms but also helps retrain the body toward balance, supporting long-term digestive harmony and emotional well-being.

Your Personalized Healing Plan

Every digestive condition is unique, and so is your treatment plan at Deanna Carell Aesthetics + Acupuncture. Your practitioner will take time to understand your symptoms, lifestyle, and underlying imbalances to design a customized therapy that may include acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and dietary guidance.

If you’ve been living with chronic digestive discomfort or want a more natural, holistic approach to gut health, we invite you to begin your healing journey with us.

Book your acupuncture session today at Deanna Carell Aesthetics + Acupuncture and experience how gentle, natural therapies can restore your digestive balance from the inside out.