During the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, heartburn is common complaint. It is a kind of burning sensation in the stomach or chest. It may connect with a cholesterol imbalance, or may develop with heart disease or lung problems. It can be acute or chronic heartburn. Western medicine teaches that heartburn is caused by the upper esophageal sphincter improperly functioning, leading to the stomach acid slipping past the sphincter and into the esophagus. Usually, the esophageal sphincter muscle pinches itself shut and prevents stomach acid (which is used by the stomach to digest food) from surging upward.

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that heartburn results from the organs’ problems, or relates to weather changes, physical or emotional stress, or may be due to lack of harmony between the liver and the spleen. It may come from low Chi or imbalance of the organs.

Mary, a 66 year old house wife, volunteered twice a week and took Yoga classes twice a week. She also spent quality time with her husband in their garden. She came to see me for her problem with heartburn. She mentioned she had been on acid reflux medication for over 30 years.

But lately, she felt her medicine did not help her as well as it had in the past. Her doctor couldn’t find anything wrong physically.She had no stress in her life and she ate healthy foods.
After checking her tongue and pulse, I found that her liver and spleen did not work together properly, and her liver Yin was low. The main points for acupuncture were selected from the meridians of the liver, the spleen, the kidney and “Three Jiao”. (In Chinese medicine these refer to the meridians governing: 1. The Upper Jaio; the lungs and the pericardium 2. The Middle Jaio; the stomach, the spleen, liver and gall bladder and 3 The Lower Jaio; the intestines, kidneys and urinary bladder.)
I instructed her to avoid cold foods or beverages such as ice-cream or ice tea. She felt somewhat better after her first acupuncture treatment so I decided not to add any Chinese herbs to her treatment plan. After several acupuncture treatments, she discontinued her acid reflux medication without any problems.

Contact Li Hua L.Ac. TCMD at Atlanta Acupuncture Center or 404-250-9903 or e-mail lihua@aac2000.com or surf her web site at www.aac2000.com