Relieving Gallbladder Pain with Acupuncture

Texas Modern Gastroenterology (2022)

Are you regularly experiencing terrible pain in your upper abdomen after meals? Do you still experience similar pain even after gallbladder surgery? 

Gallbladder pain, often described as a sharp, cramping sensation in the upper right abdomen, is most commonly caused by gallstones blocking the bile ducts. This pain is frequently triggered by eating fatty foods, but it can still occur after consuming ‘non-fatty’ meals. It is also possible to experience similar pain after gallbladder removal, a condition known as post-cholecystectomy syndrome. 

Causes

Gallstones are the most frequent culprit behind gallbladder pain. When a gallbladder obstructs the bile duct, it can cause sudden, severe pain that requires urgent medical attention. This pain even radiates to your back or shoulder blade. In an attempt to dislodge the stones, the gallbladder can spasm. Eating fatty meals also triggers these spasms as the gallbladder tries to release bile to process the fat. 

However, it’s important to note that you can experience gallbladder pain even without the presence of gallstones. 

Another common cause is cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder often triggered by gallstones blocking the bile duct. This can lead to serious complications such as infection, gallbladder rupture, or pancreatitis. When gallstones block the natural flow of bile, it leads to a buildup of pressure and inflammation within the gallbladder. The trapped bile can also become infected, further contributing to the inflammation. 

Other potential causes include tumours or other blockages in the bile ducts, biliary dyskinesia, infections of the bile ducts, or other serious illnesses. 

Signs and symptoms: pain, digestive issues, low Vit D, thyroid issue, and more

Beyond the described pain, it’s typical to experience nausea and vomiting. WIth inadequate bile flow to your small intestine for breaking down fats, you may experience various digestive difficulties, including bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, and incomplete bowel movements. You might also find yourself low on fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. 

Additionally, Bile helps convert inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into its active form (T3), which is crucial for metabolism and weight management.

Bile plays a significant role in regulating glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Glucose spikes can contribute to weight gain. Many effective weight loss diets, such as the keto diet, low-carb diet, and low-GI diet, fundamentally focus on preventing blood sugar spikes. Furthermore, bile makes its way through the digestive tract and can carry toxins out via stools, so without this support, maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging.

Treatment & Management

Gallbladder pain treatment varies depending on the cause, often involving pain management, dietary changes, antibiotics, and sometimes surgery to remove the gallbladder. It's important to seek medical advice if you are experiencing gallbladder pain, as it can indicate a serious gallbladder attack or other issues requiring medical attention.

When to Consider Acupuncture for Gallbladder Pain

After your doctor has investigated your condition, acupuncture may offer relief from gallbladder pain. It may help prevent further gallbladder attacks, reduce inflammation, improve bile flow, and enhance gallbladder function in cases of biliary colic (with or without gallstones), mild cholecystitis, and when the cause is unknown. 

Acupuncture may also support the relaxation of smooth muscle, which is responsible for expanding and contracting passages for fluids through vessels and organs. The smooth muscle of the gallbladder is specifically responsible for releasing bile. The smooth muscle in the digestive system works to move food, mix digestive juices, and ultimately eliminate waste. Therefore, it is important to support the entire digestive system. Since the gallbladder is part of the digestive system, problems with it can affect multiple digestive tracts and functions, which explains why some individuals experience reflux or worsening reflux with gallbladder issues. 

Dietary Considerations

Regarding diet, a low-fat diet is most commonly recommended for those with gallbladder problems. It’s important to remember that you still need fats to produce bile, specifically ‘good’ fats. One reason for gallbladder problems could be the production of poor quality bile due to unhealthy fat intake. Therefore, it’s crucial to approach a ‘low-fat’ diet with caution. Staying hydrated and incorporating bitter greens into your diet can help thin your bile for better flow. If your bile is thick and not moving easily, it increases the risk of gallstones. 

Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine 

From a TCM perspective, the gallbladder is linked to emotions like anger and frustration, so we may also address any underlying emotional issues you’re experiencing. The Liver and Gallbladder are considered a crucial pair, working together to ensure smooth ‘Qi’ flow and emotional balance. As your liver produces bile, its functional role is also very important. Bitter greens are believed to nourish and support the Liver and Gallbladder. This pair also has strong connections with other digestive elements such as the ‘Pancreas’, ‘Stomach’, ‘Large Intestine’, and ‘Small Intestine’. 

Therefore, we prioritize holistic digestive care. 

About the Author

Youngmi Choi

Ripple Acupuncture | Newcastle | New Lambton

As an AHPRA-registered acupuncturist with 15 years of nursing experience, I offer safe, effective, and holistic care. My special interests include pain management, psycho-emotional well-being, digestive balance, and women’s health & fertility. My approach is outcome-focused, and clients receive a clear care plan with personalized lifestyle advice.

If you have any questions about your anxiety conditions, please make an online booking, submit an online enquiry or call me on 0402 474 884. 

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