Acupuncture can suppress gastric acid output in both animals and humans. This effect is thought to be mediated through the vagus nerve. In patients with duodenal ulcers, acupuncture decreased basal acid output (Sodipo & Falaiye 1979). Electroacupuncture was shown to prevent stress ulceration in rats (Hsu, Chen & Shen 1987), and reduce sodium chloride-induced ulcers (Ouyang, Ding & Fan 1984). A number of studies suggest that acupuncture can heal peptic ulcers. Salvi et al (1983) reported endoscopic healing of duodenal ulcers after a 1-2 month course of acupuncture in four patients who had failed to get relief from conventional medication.

Sodipo J 0 A, Falaive J M 1979 Acupuncture and gastric acid studies. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 7:356-361.

Hsu G S, Chen R X, Shen P K 1987 Protective effect of acupuncture on gastric mucosa in rats. Chen Tsu Yen Chin 214-217.

Ouyang J Y, Ding X J, Fan Le 1984 Electroacupuncture protects gastric mucosa from chemical injury. Abstract. Abstracts of National Symposuim of Acupuncture, Beijing, p 381.

Salvi E, Pistilli A, Romiti P, Bedogni G, Pedrazzoli C 1983 Ulcera duodenale. Aspetti gastroscopici prima e dopo trattamento agopunturale. Minerva Medica 74 (42):2541-2546.

Tougas G, Yuan L Y, Radamaker J W, C hiverton S G, I-lent R 11 1992 Effect of acupuncture on gastric acid secretion in healthy male volunteers. Digestive Diseases and Sciences 37:1576-1582.

Organ AN. The effect of acupuncture on the gastric acid-forming function in patients with duodenal peptic ulcer. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 1999 Sep-Oct;(5):12-4. Russian. RESULTS: “20-min acupuncture on points ST36 intensifies acid production while 40-min procedure inhibits acid production. Combination of auricular and corporal acupuncture enhances acid production suppression in gastric body and improves alkalinizing function of the antrum.”