Do you struggle with bloating, acid reflux, or poor sleep at night? According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), your stomach may be the key to good slumber. TCM takes a holistic approach to restoring gut health and sleep by balancing your internal energy and calming the body from within.
Healing Sleep and Digestion Through TCM
Gastrointestinal (GI) issues like bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, and poor sleep are more than just nighttime nuisances—they may signal deeper imbalances in the body. Xin Chongyi, director of Taiwan’s Xin Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic,
said in NTDTV’s “Health 1+1” program that TCM addresses these symptoms holistically, treating the root causes instead of just masking the pain.
A Case Study
A male patient in his 30s complained of chest pain from the front of his chest to the back, with the pain mainly residing near the diaphragm. He had sought help from several types of doctors, but had no significant improvement even with painkillers. He woke up each night after sleeping only one or two hours for two to three years. Xin found that the patient’s chest pain originated from his stomach.
By taking the patient’s pulse rhythm, he found that the Guan pulse (the pulse diagnosis position in the middle of the wrist) was tight and faint in both wrists. This indicated a blockage of the energy flow through the liver meridian (energy pathway), leading to tense emotion and indigestion.
Xin first applied fascia acupuncture therapy to relieve tension in the abdomen and back, resulting in an immediate pain improvement of 70 to 80 percent. After taking Chinese medicine for two to three months to soothe the liver, regulate qi (vital energy), and regulate the spleen and stomach, the patient recovered 80 to 90 percent overall. His sleep quality greatly improved, and he only needs to take Chinese medicine occasionally to nourish his stomach.
“TCM adopts a holistic approach. It is not a case where you see a gastroenterologist when you have a stomach problem, and see a psychiatrist when you have a mental problem. In some cases, the effects of such isolated treatments are not good,” Xin said.
The Gut-Brain Axis
Xin said many patients suffer from sleep problems and GI issues at the same time, resulting in a vicious cycle. Modern medical research has found that the GI tract is closely related to sleep quality, mainly involving the gut-brain axis. There is a two-way neural communication between the intestine and the brain by which the probiotics in the large intestine produce neurotransmitters that directly affect the brain. From a TCM perspective, the spleen and stomach work as one unit and are responsible for the functioning of the digestive system. When the spleen and stomach function normally, they can convert food into qi and blood, providing the body with energy and nutrition. If the spleen and stomach fail to work well, we feel the stress of tiredness and mental instability.
Being tired doesn’t mean it’s easier to fall asleep. Insufficient qi and blood tend to damage brain function, making sleep more difficult.
In addition, TCM believes that the spleen and stomach are also tasked with transporting and transforming water and dampness, maintaining the balance of water metabolism in the body. A weak spleen and stomach will cause water retention in the body, resulting in symptoms such as edema or dry mouth, which may cause night discomfort and deteriorate sleep quality.
Patients with both sleep and GI problems often experience symptoms including abdominal distension and pain, indigestion, acid reflux, nausea, heartburn, belching and flatulence, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, and dry mouth.
Poor sleep from GI discomfort usually leads to the following symptoms:
1. Gastroesophageal reflux: Some patients are fine during the day, but as soon as they lie down, start coughing violently, or will cough until they wake up after falling asleep. It is recommended that these patients raise their pillows a bit when sleeping and lie on their left side to alleviate their coughing problems.
2. Gastric or duodenal ulcer: Patients with gastric ulcers may experience severe stomach pain at night. Pain on a full stomach after eating is most likely a symptom of a gastric ulcer, while pain felt on an empty stomach could be due to a duodenal ulcer. In addition, some people experience abdominal pain in the middle of the night, which could be related to the gallbladder.
3. Irritable bowel syndrome: People with irregular sleep are more likely to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, causing irregular sleep.
4. Inflammatory bowel disease: Symptoms of conditions such as Crohn’s disease can be worsened due to poor sleep quality. Patients may also suffer from abdominal pain and diarrhea at night, further affecting sleep.
Acupoint Massage Protects Stomach and Aids Sleep
Xin said regularly massaging the following acupoints protects the stomach and intestines and improves sleep.Acupoints are points located on the energy channels of the human body that have special therapeutic effects. Studies have found that patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome have their neuroendocrine function regulated and their mental state and GI symptoms improved after receiving acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and other therapies to stimulate the acupoints.
PC6.(Epochtimes)
Neiguan (Inner Gate PC6) acupoint: Located at around three finger widths above the transverse wrist line on the palm side (the width of the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger together), between the two tendons in the middle of the arm.
To stimulate this point, use your index and middle fingers to gently massage and press the area repeatedly—either with dozens of light presses or by maintaining gentle pressure for 2 to 3 minutes at a time. Regular stimulation of Neiguan may help relieve symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, palpitations, and dizziness.
Zusanli (Leg 3 Miles ST36) acupoint: Located about four finger widths below the knee, on the outside of the calf. Zusanli is a difficult area to massage with your hands, but you can use the heel of your other foot to tap the acupoint for five to 10 minutes, then change sides. It can strengthen the spleen and stomach, enhance immunity, and relieve stomach pain and indigestion.
Tianshu (Heavenly Pivot ST25) acupoints: Located three finger widths on both sides of the navel, the position where the third finger lies is the Tianshu Points.
The Tianshu can regulate the stomach and intestines, promote digestion, and relieve symptoms such as bloating and constipation. Massage for two to three minutes at a time.
Zhongwan (Middle of Epigastrium REN12) acupoint: Located five finger widths above the navel, Zhongwan helps relieve bloating, acid reflux, and indigestion. Massage for two to three minutes at a time.
Taichong (Bigger Penetrating LR3) acupoint: Located in the depression between the first and second metatarsal bones on the dorsum of the foot, Taichong soothes the liver and regulates qi, relieves stress and anxiety, and improves stomach cramps and irritable bowel syndrome. Press for two to three minutes at a time.
LR3.(The Epoch Times)
The ‘321’ Before Bed
Xin suggested improving sleep problems caused by GI problems by taking measures to improve diet and daily routine. He recommends the “321 before bed.”3. Avoid eating three hours before going to bed: Avoid large evening meals, so as not to increase the burden on the stomach and intestines and affect sleep.
2. Avoid contact with electronic devices two hours before bed: Blue light emitted by mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices can affect sleep.
3. Avoid drinking water one hour before bed: This will prevent you from waking up frequently during the night and affect your sleep. If you are thirsty, rinse your mouth instead of drinking water.
For diet, eat more spleen-strengthening foods, such as yam, coix seed, and red dates. Avoid irritating foods like spicy, greasy, raw, and cold foods. For patients with gastroesophageal reflux issues, avoid soup with meals to prevent food from staying in the stomach for too long.
A healthy gut sets the stage for a peaceful night’s sleep. Through TCM’s holistic lens, digestive health and emotional well-being are closely intertwined. Whether through acupuncture, herbs, or simple lifestyle adjustments like acupressure and bedtime habits, healing your gut may be the secret to restoring restful, rejuvenating sleep—naturally and gently.
