Your super sleep and healthy digestion

Did you know that Western and Eastern medicine both gather information about your health by how well your digestion is doing?

The Spleen and Stomach, according to Chinese Medicine, provide the body with nourishment. Food is ingested, digested, transformed, transported, and assimilated into the physical body, creating bone, muscle, energy, and blood. Literally we are what we eat!

The health of these organs is critical to our feeling well. It is said that in the “Five Element theory, the Spleen is located at our center; when the Spleen is sick, the entire body is fundamentally sick.

Today many people suffer from digestive troubles. Just walk down to the local drugstore, and note the many products for sale to suppress various symptoms of poor digestive health. The only problem is that they DON’T get at the root cause of the problem(s). They just seem to sedate ill feelings and sensations.

Over time, a poor diet coupled with irregular eating habits, over-concentration, worry, excessive studying, or sitting too long can injure our Spleen and Stomach. Adopting a few new eating habits may allow your digestion to function better. In turn, the health of your entire being may improve. Caring for your health, naturally, with acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help get to the root cause(s) of digestive troubles.

Read Dr. Heintze’s previous post on acupuncture and digestion, here.

In the Chinese Medicine view point, we look at how well the spleen and stomach are functioning to determine what acupuncture protocol to follow, what dietary regimen we recommend, and what herbs or supplements may be needed.

Your Spleen According to Western Medicine

• Stores, filters, and cleans the blood.
• Eliminates and destroys worn-out red blood cells and recycles them into iron for hemoglobin and bile production.
• Supports the immune system by producing lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma cells that create antibodies to fight infections.

Your Spleen According to Chinese Medicine

• Rules the transformation and transportation of food and fluids.
• Governs blood by keeping it circulating in the vessels.
• Transports energy and blood to your muscles, flesh, and limbs.
• Raises the body’s Qi by producing a “lifting” effect along the midline of the body, keeping the internal organs in place so they don’t sag or prolapse.
• Governs and influences our capacity for thinking.

Below are a few symptoms that appear when a Spleen/Stomach disharmony is present:

• Abdominal distention, bloating, aches or pain
• Lack of appetite
• Flatulence after meals or with stress
• Watery, loose stools or diarrhea
• Blood or excessive mucus in stools
• Bruising easily
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sallow complexion or pale lips
• Pale and swollen tongue
• Weakness and heaviness in the arms, legs, or muscles
• Fatigue, lethargy, or low energy
• Dizziness or history of anemia
• Susceptibility to colds and flu

Try these simple guidelines to aid in healthy digestion:

1. Don’t over eat. This prevents proper digestion.
2. Avoid eating late at night. This drains and strains digestive functions.
3. Eat a diet that reflects individual body needs. We all have different bodies and life-styles that require individual nourishment.
4. Don’t eat while standing or on the run.
5. Don’t eat when you are emotionally upset.
6. Chew, Chew, Chew. Digestion begins in the mouth with saliva. The more chewing that takes place, the easier your body breaks down food and assimilates it.
7. Don’t drink too many liquids with your meal – It dilutes digestive enzymes.
8. In general, eat a moderate amount of sweets. Too many impair the function of the Spleen.
9. Eat whole foods with plenty of fresh veggies, fruits, and grains.

If you suffer from chronic digestive concerns, we can help! Give us a call today (425) 686-4498 to schedule your initial consultation.

Did you know Dr. Heintze wrote a book on healthy digestion and going gluten-free with ease? Check it out here!

Source:

References: 1 Haas, Dr. E., Staying Healthy with the Seasons, 1981, pg 106.