Acupuncture: A Treatment for Achalasia?

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

I just tried my first acupuncture treatment directed toward achalasia

yesterday. I am a candidate for surgery but a little reluctant to go

down that path. Once the myotomy is performed, there is no going

back – and no hope of ever restoring the proper function of the

LES.

Plus, there's a 45% chance I'll have a reflux problem as a

result of

the operation. Call me a dreamer, but I am hoping for a " better

solution " .

I'd thought I'd share a little bit of what I've come up

with. I

started off being curious about what the world of alternative

medicine had to say about achalasia and somehow arrived at

acupuncture as a possible treatment. This was confirmed by a visit

to my local alternative medicine practice (actually run by a

traditional MD who reviewed my barium swallow, manometry results,

etc.) I then did a " Medline " search (a wonderful Internet

resource

of medical journal articles from around the world).

I was able to come up with a handful of articles that – lo and

behold – discussed the treatment of achalasia with acupuncture.

It

seems that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for achalasia

(sometimes) – the most encouraging article was one I found in the

Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The article makes actual suggestions of acupuncture points and

techniques – which I fed to the acupuncturist at the clinic.

And voila – I had my first treatment yesterday. I never tried

acupuncture before and found the experience pleasant and even

relaxing. There is a slight sting as some of the needles are

inserted but not a lot of discomfort. I also felt really positive

about harnessing my body's ability to heal itself. After all, I

am

told that it was my body that probably caused the problem (my immune

system attacking a healthy esophagus). It sounds simplistic but

perhaps my body can heal itself too.

So you are all probably wondering about the results. Well, I

can't

say I went out for a steak dinner, but today I tried drinking coffee

for the first time in awhile. In the past, coffee would trigger

regurgitation. Today it didn't. I cautiously attempted to drink

liquids faster than usual and felt that things were flowing faster

into my stomach with less discomfort – I get a lump in the throat

sensation when I drink too much too quickly. I'll have to keep

track

my progress and will use the drinking as a gauge. (Why not be a

little scientific about it?)

Honestly, I think acupuncture is a long shot treatment for achalasia,

but who knows. It could be that my swallowing is easier because I am

more relaxed and at ease. I obviously like being able to manage

achalasia this way. And this impacts my mood and stress level. Or,

the acupuncture could be working.

In any event, I am told that I will know whether or not this option

is working after a few treatments. Stay tuned.

Swack

Chicago, IL