Digestive, Thyroid & Immune Health
Chinese internal medicine looks for the pattern connecting your symptoms — then treats the root, not just the branch.
Internal medicine: key facts
- Digestive
- IBS, heartburn and reflux, gastritis, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
- Endocrine & metabolic
- Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, high or low blood pressure, cholesterol support.
- Immune & respiratory
- Low immunity, frequent colds, allergies, sinusitis, asthma; Sjögren's-related dryness.
- Head & ears
- Tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Other
- Chronic fatigue, night-time urination and incontinence, smoking cessation.
- Approach
- Acupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicine is usually the core; diet guidance is important.
Treating the root, not just the branch
A Chinese medicine practitioner rarely sees symptoms in isolation. Fatigue, a sluggish thyroid and a sensitive gut may all be part of one pattern; so may high blood pressure, headaches and poor sleep. By identifying that pattern through your history, pulse and tongue, we can treat several complaints at once — the "root" — rather than adding a separate remedy for each "branch."
Paola G., 35, came to us with an underactive thyroid and IBS; the thyroid medication was irritating an already sensitive stomach. After about two months of acupuncture and herbs Paola started feeling like herself again. Follow-up blood work no longer showed signs of hypothyroidism, and foods that had been off-limits could be eaten again.
Glenda H., 55, came for 20 years of weekly headaches. While treating them we also addressed smoking, blood pressure and cholesterol. With daily herbs and the physician's approval, Glenda reduced and then stopped blood pressure medication, with readings holding around 125/85 — and stopped smoking within a month.
What we help with
Digestive health
Irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux and heartburn, gastritis, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, including pregnancy nausea.
Thyroid
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and the fatigue, weight, temperature and mood changes that come with them — alongside your endocrinologist's care.
Blood pressure
High and low blood pressure regulation, with lifestyle and herbal support. Medication changes only with your physician.
Immunity & allergies
Frequent colds, seasonal allergies, sinusitis, asthma and low immunity; dry eyes and mouth associated with Sjögren's.
Tinnitus & vertigo
Ringing in the ears, dizziness and lightheadedness — including long-standing vertigo.
Fatigue & urinary
Chronic fatigue, frequent night-time urination and mild incontinence.
Whole-body results
After recent blood work, I'm no longer showing signs of hypothyroidism. My IBS is under control.— Paola G.Kearny, NJ · age 35
He relieved my dry eyes, dry mouth and high blood pressure symptoms.— Amy W.Parsippany, NJ · age 73
I was told up front there was a 50/50 chance. I really appreciated the honesty — and the ringing has improved significantly.— Audrey R.Rockaway, NJ · age 60
This cleared up after a few visits.— Anthony G.Roselle Park, NJ · age 69
Five months later I'm off my blood pressure pill with my doctor's blessing — and I don't smoke anymore.— Glenda H.Union, NJ · age 55
My lockjaw has completely disappeared.— Suzanne C.Chatham, NJ · age 46
Questions
Can acupuncture help hypothyroidism?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help with thyroid-related symptoms such as fatigue, low mood and digestive upset, and some patients have seen improved lab results. Continue monitoring with your physician and do not change thyroid medication on your own.
Can acupuncture help IBS?
Digestive complaints such as abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea are on the WHO list for acupuncture. For IBS we usually combine acupuncture with herbs and dietary recommendations.
Does acupuncture work for tinnitus?
Results are mixed and we are honest about that — roughly a 50/50 chance. Some patients see significant improvement, such as one layer of ringing disappearing after a few sessions; others see less change.
Related pages
Ready to feel like yourself again?
Call the office nearest you to schedule. New patients should allow about 90 minutes for the first visit, which includes a full health history, pulse and tongue diagnosis and your first treatment.