Ever Had an Upset Stomach Ruin Your Day?
We’ve all been there—nausea, bloating, or an upset stomach can completely derail your plans. While these symptoms often stem from nervous system imbalances, finding relief isn’t always easy. That’s where acupuncture may help. By addressing the root causes, acupuncture offers a natural approach to supporting your digestive health and restoring balance.
Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection
The nervous system plays a central role in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea through a complex network of interactions between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. This system includes both the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), which together regulate digestive functions

The Central Nervous System (CNS)
The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord and is essential for processing sensory information, controlling movement, and responding to stimuli. It significantly impacts overall health, including digestive health. Within the CNS, the brainstem controls vital reflexes, such as vomiting and swallowing, which protect the body from harmful substances.
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
The ENS, often referred to as the “second brain,” consists of a network of nerves located within the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.
This system manages many digestive processes independently, such as moving food through the digestive system and controlling the release of digestive enzymes. The ENS also helps the body respond to threats, such as harmful bacteria, by triggering reflexes like vomiting or diarrhea.
Role in Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea
The ENS plays a significant role in these common digestive disturbances:
- Nausea and Vomiting: Enteric neurons can regulate the vomiting reflex, particularly in cases where vomiting occurs as a side effect of medical treatments like chemotherapy.
- Diarrhea: The ENS can induce processes such as diarrhea when it detects the presence of harmful bacteria in ingested food.
These responses are part of the ENS’s protective functions, expelling potentially harmful substances from the digestive system. When this balance is disrupted, symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur.
Acupuncture targets specific points to restore harmony between the CNS and ENS, helping alleviate digestive disturbances.
Acupuncture Treatment for Nausea and Vomiting

Acupuncture has shown effectiveness in alleviating nausea and vomiting by targeting key points within the nervous system. This natural treatment offers relief for conditions such as postoperative nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and even pregnancy-related morning sickness.
By stimulating specific acupoints that influence the CNS and ENS, acupuncture helps regulate reflexes, reduce nausea, and prevent vomiting.
Acupuncture and Postoperative Nausea
Studies, including research from Memorial Sloan Kettering, show that acupuncture can be effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, thereby enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients receiving treatment.
Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea
Acupuncture has also proven beneficial for postoperative nausea and vomiting. A systematic review of 26 trials revealed that acupuncture-point stimulation was significantly effective in controlling nausea and vomiting for postoperative patients.

Acupuncture for Pregnancy-Related Nausea
In addition, acupuncture can help relieve nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy.
One randomized controlled trial found that women who received traditional or Pericardium 6 (P6) acupuncture experienced significant improvements, with noticeable benefits as early as the second week of treatment.
By addressing the nervous system through these acupuncture points, this treatment can offer relief from nausea and vomiting while avoiding the side effects associated with traditional medications.
Acupuncture and Its Role in Treating Diarrhea
Acupuncture stimulates the vagus nerve, a key player in regulating digestive functions. By targeting specific acupoints, acupuncture can help support the vagus nerve, promote better gut health, and potentially alleviate symptoms like diarrhea.
How Acupuncture Targets the Vagus Nerve
Several acupoints near the vagus nerve, particularly in the head and neck area, allow acupuncture to stimulate and influence digestive control directly. Acupuncture enhances vagus nerve function, which is essential for regulating digestive processes.
Specific Acupoints for Diarrhea
Specific acupuncture points are known to stimulate the vagus nerve directly. Key points for addressing digestive issues include:
- Conception Vessel 12 (CV 12): Located on the midline of the abdomen.
- Conception Vessel 17 (CV 17): Situated in the center of the chest.
- Heart 7 (HT 7): Found on the wrist.
- Stomach 36 (ST 36): Located on the leg, below the knee, this point is especially known for improving digestion, boosting energy, and reducing inflammation.
These points significantly enhance digestion and regulate the digestive system’s function, especially in managing symptoms like diarrhea.
In addition to these acupoints, acupuncture utilizes other techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve further to optimize gut health.
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture is a method that focuses on certain points on the ear to stimulate the vagus nerve. This nerve affects the body’s automatic functions, including digestion, and can help improve digestive health
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Acupuncture has been shown to trigger an anti-inflammatory response via vagus nerve stimulation, which can reduce inflammation throughout the body and help restore balance to the digestive system.
Promoting Relaxation
Acupuncture can serve as a “reset” for the nervous system, promoting deep relaxation. This calm state is essential for reducing stress, which can support overall digestive health and help alleviate symptoms like diarrhea.
By targeting these specific points and pathways, acupuncture can effectively stimulate the vagus nerve, offering a less invasive option for improving digestion and managing digestive disturbances like diarrhea.
Don’t Let Digestive Issues Hold You Back
If you’re struggling with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, take the first step toward feeling better today by scheduling an appointment at one of our four convenient NYC locations: Financial District, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or Nomad.
Our experienced team will assess your condition and create a personalized acupuncture treatment plan to restore balance to your nervous system and improve your digestive health.
Whether you’re seeking relief from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, our team is here to support your journey toward better well-being. Call us today at (917) 694-1565 or book your appointment online.
Sources
Fleming, M. A., 2nd, Ehsan, L., Moore, S. R., & Levin, D. E. (2020). The Enteric Nervous System and Its Emerging Role as a Therapeutic Target. Gastroenterology research and practice, 2020, 8024171. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8024171
Ma, K., Liu, Y., Shao, W., Sun, J., Li, J., Fang, X., Li, J., Wang, Z., & Zhang, D. (2020). Brain Functional Interaction of Acupuncture Effects in Diarrhea-Dominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Frontiers in neuroscience, 14, 608688. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.608688
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Acupressure for Nausea and Vomiting. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/acupressure-nausea-and-vomiting
Smith, C., Crowther, C., & Beilby, J. (2002). Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), 29(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536x.2002.00149.x
Streitberger, K., Ezzo, J., & Schneider, A. (2006). Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting: an update of clinical and experimental studies. Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical, 129(1-2), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2006.07.015
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