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Acupuncture for Ulcerative Colitis

Traditional Chinese Medicine in New York

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for ulcerative colitis. Acupuncture for ulcerative colitis will reduce urgency, cramps and the presence of blood or mucus in the stools. It will also relieve systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. Regular acupuncture will reduce the occurence and severity of episodes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ulcerative colitis is usually categorized as Damp Heat in the Large Intestine and acupuncture points are selected to disperse Dampness and Heat.

Acupuncture for ulcerative colitis involves the insertion of very fine sterile needles into specific points on the body. An acupuncturist uses these needles to influence the flow of vital energy, known as qi, throughout your body and to restore balance to the flow of energy and improve health. Acupuncture works by regulating a patient’s qi, supplementing it if the qi is deficient and dispersing it if qi has become stagnant.

A typical session of acupuncture for ulcerative colitis lasts 45 minutes and it is usually recommended to have one session per week in the beginning of treatment. Patients generally feel very relaxed during and after an acupuncture session. The needles used in acupuncture are much smaller than the needles used to take blood or give shots and therefore do not cause pain when inserted.

When undergoing an acupuncture for ulcerative colitis, it is not unusual for acupuncture needles to be placed in points at different parts of the body. A typical treatment may include points on the ears, feet, hands or head.

There are no side effects to acupuncture for ulcerative colitis. Acupuncture can be combined safely with other treatments you may be getting.