The Importance of Diet in Treating Digestive Illness

If you are reading this, it is likely because you or someone you know is suffering from a digestive illness. According to the National Institutes of Health, 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by some type of gastrointestinal disease (Health).

I am here to tell you that there IS hope, and there are treatment options available other than medication and surgery for most types of digestive disorders. Utilizing the ancient healing modality of Chinese Medicine, I have seen tremendous results, both personally and professionally.

When most people consider Chinese Medicine, they immediately think about acupuncture. While acupuncture can have an enormous effect upon the circulatory, nervous, and endocrine systems, creating a more balanced individual with greater self-healing potential, it is only one of the many modalities available within this medical model. The ancient Chinese knew very well that food, something that we all put into our bodies every day, can often be the best medicine.

When it comes to treating digestive illness, the logical first area of investigation is an individual’s diet. This is where conventional doctors typically come up short. When posed with the question, “What can I do Doc?” They will often reply, “just keep living how you’re living.” “Take the medicine, there’s nothing you can do about it.” This is highly illogical! Digestive illness appears for a reason. If you are having difficulty with your digestive tract, your body is asking for a change!

We all see the same commercials, we all shop at the same grocery stores, and chain restaurants are built to provide a standardized meal that conforms to our standardized taste. Unfortunately, the reality is that every human body is completely unique, and we do not all have identical abilities to break down the same types of food as our brothers, husbands, wives, or neighbors.

This may seem like common knowledge to some of you, but most people don’t really think about the types of food that they eat. I never did until I was twenty-three and found myself awaiting a diagnosis for my own digestive illness. Adding to the struggle, I have found that clinically, it is often very difficult for people to make even the slightest change to their diet. We are creatures of habit, and sometimes pleasure and simplicity rule over the belief that change is possible. The important thing for you to realize is that there can be relief!

I have seen time and time again, people who are told that they will take medication for the rest of their life, their risk for surgery is greatly increased, and their quality of life will never be the same. With a combination of dietary adjustment, acupuncture, and exercise or other therapies, these very same people ultimately end up stronger, healthier, and more full of energy than they ever were before. Truth be told, some illnesses are merely a blessing in disguise.

If you take only one thing from this commentary, please let it be to know that there are many options available for combating digestive symptoms and disease. There is no need to live in fear or pain. You can achieve long-term remission, or complete eradication of your symptoms if you believe, find, and try. BELIEVE in yourself, FIND the answer, and TRY until you succeed. You are a special, unique individual placed on this earth for a purpose. Fulfill that purpose and always remember, Well-being Belongs to You!

Source by Jason Moore, L.Ac.