Reflux and heartburn in Grenoble: the Chinese medicine perspective | Ghislaine Morin — Médecine chinoise & sophrologie à Grenoble

Reflux and heartburn: the Chinese medicine view in Grenoble

Rising burning, acid regurgitation, a bitter taste, night-time cough… **Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)** is very common and often under-diagnosed. In **Grenoble**, **traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)** interprets it as a disorder of Stomach Qi movement.

Reflux: Qi rising the wrong way

In TCM, **Stomach Qi should descend**. In GERD, that Qi rises the wrong way, causing **burning, acid regurgitation and nausea**. Tradition describes the main mechanism as an **invasion of Spleen-Stomach by the Liver**: the Liver ensures the free flow of Qi; when constrained, often by repressed emotions or stress, it disturbs the descent of the Stomach.

The Stomach heat pattern

**Stomach heat** is the textbook case of gastritis with heartburn and reflux. It arises from an emotional cause — suppressed Qi turning into fire (Qi Hua Huo) — and/or dietary causes: alcohol, rich food, spices. The result is an **epigastric burning sensation** with acid rising.

Other patterns exist

**Stomach Yin deficiency** dries and maintains a deficient fire. Conversely, **Stomach Cold** produces **regurgitation of clear fluids**, chilliness and relief from warmth. Distinguishing these patterns guides the support.

Terrain factors

GERD is favoured by a **weak lower oesophageal sphincter**, a hiatal hernia, abdominal overload, pregnancy, smoking, certain medications, but also **chronic stress** and irregular or rushed meals. TCM integrates these factors into a global reading of the terrain.

How does TCM support the person?

**Acupuncture** seeks to **descend Stomach Qi, calm the Liver and clear heat**. Points such as **ST36 Zusanli** and **LR3 Taichong** are classically used. **Chinese dietetics** is essential: lighter meals, less fat and spice, no alcohol, no late meals. **Moxibustion** addresses Cold patterns.

What soothes, what aggravates

In TCM, a **cold pattern** is relieved by warmth and warm drinks, whereas a **heat pattern** worsens with spices, alcohol and rich meals. Lighter meals earlier in the evening, moderation of stimulants and stress management form the basis of lifestyle care. Not lying down right after a meal is also advised.

Should you stop your medical treatment?

No, never. TCM is complementary and does not replace medical treatment. Any change to your treatment is decided with your doctor, especially with long-standing or complicated reflux.

In short

In TCM, reflux is **Stomach Qi rebelling**, most often under a constrained Liver and/or Stomach heat. The aim is to **restore descent, calm the Liver and cool the heat**, while correcting eating habits.

Chronic reflux can progress to oesophageal lesions (ulcers, mucosal changes). Difficulty swallowing, weight loss, bleeding or persistent pain require medical assessment. TCM is **complementary**.

Ghislaine Morin's website in Grenoble : www.sophrologue-grenoble.fr/medecine-chinoise-a-grenoble-38000-38100