What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches form in the intestines (called diverticula), and these pouches become inflamed or infected.
Diverticulosis vs. Diverticulitis:
Diverticulosis is when small pouches occur in the intestines, as mentioned above. On their own, diverticula may not be a problem, and are relatively common.
What causes diverticula to form in the colon? Low-fiber diets are thought to contribute to the formation of diverticula, as well as lack of exercise, obesity, and increasing age.
Many people have no symptoms from diverticula, while others may experience mild symptoms such as bloating, abdominal cramping, and constipation.
Diverticulitis in an acute condition that occurs when the diverticula become infected or inflamed. It can be a serious medical condition, sometimes causing extreme abdominal pain, fever, chills, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation).
For many people, the pain is severe enough that they go to the emergency room or urgent care to determine the cause. Itâs also common for people to not know they have diverticula until they experience pain and are diagnosed with diverticulitis.
How Acupuncture May Help with Both Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis:
- 1. Reduce inflammation: Inflammation is a primary marker of diverticulitis. Acupuncture has been shown through multiple studies to reduce inflammation.
- 2. Reduce pain:Â Acupuncture causes the release of endorphins and other naturally occurring substances in the body that play a role in regulating pain.
- 3. Regulate intestinal function: Acupuncture impacts the vagus nerve, which is thought to connect the brain and the gut. It can help reduce diarrhea or move the bowels to relieve constipation.
- 4. Reduce stress: High stress can worsen diverticulitis symptoms. Acupuncture helps move the body out of âfight-or-flightâ (sympathetic nervous system dominance) into ârest-and-digest,â which reduces stress levels and can reduce the frequency of flare-ups.
After an episode of acute diverticulitis, the goal of acupuncture is to reduce intestinal inflammation as much as possible, reduce pain, and get your bowel habits back to normal.
Once youâre feeling better, the goal of acupuncture is to manage diverticulosis and prevent the recurrence of flare ups (aka, episodes of diverticulitis) with maintenance treatments.
How Many Treatments are Recommended?
Acupuncture is cumulative, which means that multiple treatments are needed for best results.
After an acute episode of diverticulitis, we recommend treatments close together to start with: 2 treatments per week for 2 weeks. Then 1x/week for 4 weeks. After that, the goal is maintenance:Â 1x/month to maintain good digestive function.
If you have diverticulosis but no recent episodes of diverticulitis, and would like to prevent flare ups and maintain a healthy, balanced digestion, then we recommend 1 treatment per week for 6-8 weeks. After that, monthly maintenance is recommended.
It is always easier to maintain balanced digestive function through maintenance than it is to skip treatments and have to recover from an acute episode.
What to Expect from Acupuncture Treatment:
At Seneca Falls Acupuncture, we offer treatments tailored to your unique needs, symptoms, and situation.
Before treatment, we’ll discuss your symptoms and health history. Acupuncture is holistic, meaning we look at the big picture of your health to better understand the root cause of an illness and therefore treat it more effectively.
Based on this information, we will select acupuncture points that target the digestive system, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
We are also happy to support you with dietary, supplement, and herbal formula recommendations, as well as stress management techniques, to keep your digestion in balance.
Why Choose Seneca Falls Acupuncture?
At Seneca Falls Acupuncture, we specialize in providing holistic, personalized care for individuals dealing with digestive health issues like diverticulitis. Our goal is to not only alleviate your symptoms but to empower you with the tools and support you need to achieve lasting digestive health.
Weâre a multi-award winning clinic in the heart of the Finger Lakes with over 95 five-star Google reviews and 15+ years of experience. We are honored to have won âBest Acupuncture Clinicâ in the FLX Finest competition two years in a row in 2023 and 2024.
Our experienced clinicians, Melody and Michelle, would love to help you feel your best.
Is Acupuncture Right for You?
If youâre struggling with diverticulitis and are looking for a natural and holistic way to manage your symptoms, acupuncture could be the solution youâve been searching for. At Seneca Falls Acupuncture, weâre here to guide you on the path to better digestive health and overall well-being.
Youâre welcome to reach out with questions: info@senecafallsacupuncture.com or call our office at (607) 216-8112.
Ready to Make an Appointment?
We’d love to help you manage your diverticulosis and feel your best. Click below to make an appointment today.