The feeling of nausea is awful! An upset stomach can ruin your day. Fortunately, there is hope. Nausea and vomiting from many reasons, such as pregnancy, chemotherapy and cyclic vomiting, can be eased by acupuncture and its partner, nutrition.
Pregnancy comes with its own set of concerns because of the fear of medications and the potential effect on the fetus. Acupuncture has been practiced in China for several millennia and has steadily gained recognition in both Europe and the United States. A national survey on complementary and alternative medicine use reported that approximately 2.1 million Americans—about 1.1% of the population—received acupuncture treatments within the previous year, and nearly 4% had tried it at some point in their lives. Appropriately used, acupuncture treatments are a perfect solution for the pregnant woman and safety of the child. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that acupuncture may be more effective than conventional medicine alone in managing pregnancy nausea. Some studies indicate that acupuncture could be as effective as conventional treatments, with a favorable safety profile.
Acupuncture is believed to alleviate nausea through several mechanisms: Autonomic Nervous System modulation/balance; it can regulate neurotransmitters, influencing levels of serotonin and dopamine, which play roles in nausea pathways; and enhancing gastric emptying, reducing feelings of fullness and nausea.
In the case of chemo-induced nausea, acupuncture, in addition to the above, affects the visceral nerves and regulates gastrointestinal rhythm. And by the same mechanisms help with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS), a rare and often debilitating condition characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting, “for no apparent reason”.
Combined with nutrition and in some cases with anti-emetic drugs, acupuncture can be quite helpful. Nutritionally, keeping a stable diet without big gaps of not eating, eating a high protein diet, regulating blood sugar and keeping it stable, as well as avoiding bad fats and highly processed foods can help stem the vomiting. However, some of the problems are when an individual is highly nauseous or has an acute gag reflex, they can’t seem to get any nutrition in, much less the best. That’s one area where acupuncture shows its value.
Certain nutrient deficiencies, such as in B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, selenium, electrolytes and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E & K) tend to aggravate nausea and vomiting. Unfortunately, too many people try synthetic vitamins and then are disappointed because they don’t work. Pre-Natal vitamins are notorious for this!
Across all these conditions, acupuncture stands out as consistently effective in easing nausea. Its effects, combined with thoughtful nutrition, create a powerful partnership. Where medication often falls short, this blend of time-tested therapy and targeted dietary support provides a low-risk, practical pathway to relief.
For those struggling with nausea—whether from pregnancy, chemotherapy, or chronic vomiting—acupuncture and nutrition together offer more than just symptom control. They offer a way back to daily life.
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©2025 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
