How Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Functional Medicine Can Help Treat SIBO

If you’re dealing with a digestive disorder like SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), you know that conventional approaches to treatment often fall short. What if the key to relief isn’t another prescription.

Persistent bloating, cramping, and diarrhea aren’t just an inconvenience; they’re also a sign that your internal ecosystem is out of balance. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition that occurs when an abnormal amount of bacteria populates the small intestine, leading to chronic digestive issues.

If you’re seeking a natural, holistic solution for digestive disorders like SIBO, turn to Bethany Leddy, DACM, MSOM, at Elemental Acupuncture. Dr. Leddy specializes in restoring balance and healthy function to your body through acupuncture, functional medicine, and Chinese herbal medicine.

Uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms don’t have to be a regular part of your life. Let’s take a look at how this alternative approach can help you reclaim your gut health.

Understanding small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

While the large intestine is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria, the small intestine is meant to have a much smaller population. SIBO develops when too many bacteria — or the wrong kind — migrate to the small intestine, disrupting the delicate balance needed for proper digestion.

As these bacteria feed on undigested carbohydrates, they produce excess gas that causes abdominal pain and uncomfortable bloating. A bacterial overgrowth can also interfere with normal gut motility, the process that moves food and waste through your digestive tract, resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, or changes in stool consistency.

In addition to the physical discomfort, SIBO can interfere with the body’s ability to digest fats and absorb essential nutrients. Over time, this can lead to nutrient deficiencies, unintentional weight loss, and even malnutrition.

Acupuncture’s role in gut health

When you think about complex digestive disorders like SIBO, acupuncture may not be the first treatment option that comes to mind. However, this ancient therapy is a highly effective way to rebalance your gut.

Acupuncture stimulates specific points along energy pathways in the body to modulate the nervous system. This helps to address the root causes of digestive dysfunction by improving motility, reducing inflammation in the intestinal lining, and calming the stress that can worsen symptoms.

With consistent treatments, acupuncture offers more than symptom relief — it supports a healthier gut microbiome, restores proper digestive function, and improves your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Chinese herbal medicine for digestive wellness

Chinese herbal medicine uses natural, whole ingredients to restore balance and support long-term wellness. After diagnosing the primary imbalance causing your digestive issues, Dr. Leddy selects a custom herbal formula designed for your individual needs.

Unlike conventional medications that often require indefinite use, these herbal formulas are intended as a temporary support system. The goal is to correct the underlying problem without the need for ongoing treatment or the harmful side effects of many pharmaceutical drugs.

How functional medicine can improve gut health

Functional medicine, which looks at all the body’s systems to determine the cause of imbalance, can eliminate gastrointestinal issues caused by bacteria, yeast, and single-celled organisms such as archaea. Dr. Leddy uses microbiome testing to find the imbalances and provide supplements that will put your body back in balance.

Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and functional medicine offer a powerful, time-tested strategy for approaching a modern digestive problem like SIBO. To take the first step toward true gut health, contact us by calling or messaging to schedule an appointment at Elemental Acupuncture in New York City or Tuckahoe, New York.