Acupuncture for Nausea

How Chinese medicine understands nausea

In Chinese medicine, the Stomach’s energy is meant to move downward, carrying food on through the gut. Nausea and vomiting are seen as that energy going the wrong way, called “rebellious Stomach Qi.” As it rises, the contents of the stomach want to rise too. Often more than one organ is involved, and stress plays a large part.

The question is what is pushing the Stomach’s energy upward. The common patterns are:

• Liver Qi invading the Stomach. Nausea that comes with stress, worry or anger, often with belching, a tight chest and a sour taste.
• Spleen and Stomach deficiency. A weak digestion. You feel full and queasy after small amounts of food, your appetite is poor, and you are tired.
• Food stagnation. Nausea after overeating or rich food, with sour belching and a heavy, bloated stomach.
• Phlegm-damp. A heavy head, dizziness and a lot of saliva with the nausea, often worse with greasy or sweet food.
• Stomach heat. Nausea with burning, thirst and a bitter taste, sometimes with reflux.
• External invasion. Sudden nausea with a stomach bug or food poisoning.

Pregnancy and cancer treatment bring their own patterns, which are read in the same way but treated with extra care.

What treatment involves

Your first visit covers when the nausea comes, what makes it better or worse, what you eat, and your sleep and stress. I also check your tongue and pulse. If you are pregnant, having cancer treatment, or taking any medication, say so at the start. In pregnancy or during cancer treatment, acupuncture for nausea should be arranged with your medical team’s knowledge.

Acupuncture aims to settle the Stomach and help its energy move down again. The point on the inner wrist, PC6, is one of the main points used for nausea, and it is often combined with points on the legs, belly and back chosen for the pattern. For a weak, cold digestion, moxibustion may add warmth.

For ongoing nausea, Chinese herbal medicine can be added, with a formula written for your pattern. In pregnancy, and during chemotherapy, herbs need particular care, and should only be considered after talking with your midwife, doctor or oncology team.

Plan on 5–10 treatments to judge progress for nausea that keeps coming back. The clinic is in Keswick. Treatment here works alongside your medical care, not in place of it.

Between visits

• Eat small amounts often. An empty stomach and a very full one can both make nausea worse.
• Sip fluids between meals rather than drinking a lot at once.
• Choose plain foods such as crackers, rice, toast or broth, and avoid greasy, spicy or strong-smelling food.
• Get fresh air, and stay upright for a while after eating.
• Try an acupressure wristband on the PC6 point. They are sold in most pharmacies.

When to see your doctor first

Nausea can be a sign of something that needs medical care. Get help promptly if you have:

• Vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down for more than a day, or signs of dehydration, such as very little urine, a dry mouth or dizziness when you stand.
• Blood in your vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Severe belly pain, or a swollen, hard belly.
• Nausea with a severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, or after a head injury.
• Nausea with chest pain or shortness of breath. Call 911.
• Severe vomiting in pregnancy, or weight loss while pregnant.
• Nausea in a young child or older adult that does not settle quickly.
• Nausea that lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or comes with weight loss or yellow skin.