Chinese Medicine

Stomach pain (gastritis and ulcers)

A burning or gnawing pain in the upper belly, often worse when hungry or after eating. It can come from gastritis, an ulcer, or something else. Dr. Pan checks the cause first, then makes a plan.

Book a first visit(484) 744-0857(267) 348-4139

See what a first visit involves

Please bring any test or endoscopy reports, and a list of the medicines, supplements and herbs you take now — especially pain pills like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. It helps to note when the pain comes, and what makes it better or worse.

First, check the cause

Common causes are a germ called H. pylori, and pain pills such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Alcohol and smoking make it worse.

How it is treated

Testing for H. pylori, with a breath or stool test. If you have it, a course of antibiotics with acid-lowering medicine clears it for most people. A test afterward makes sure it is gone. If you take acid-lowering medicine, Dr. Pan may ask you to pause it for two weeks before the test.
If you take pain pills like ibuprofen, talking with Dr. Pan about stopping or changing them. Do not stop aspirin prescribed for your heart on your own.
Acid-lowering medicine. It heals most ulcers and helps the most people.
A referral for an endoscopy (a camera into the stomach), if needed.
Acupuncture: very thin needles, alongside treatment of the cause. A long-established treatment for stomach pain in Chinese medicine, it eases pain and indigestion and settles the stomach.
Chinese herbs, prescribed for your pattern, to settle the stomach and ease pain. They are checked against the medicines you already take.

How many visits

Usually once a week at first, alongside treatment of the cause. Six to eight visits make a course; then you and Dr. Pan look at how much better you are: less pain, eating more comfortably.

Common questions

Do I need an endoscopy?

Not always. Many people are tested for H. pylori and treated first. Dr. Pan will refer you for one if a closer look is needed.

Is it safe to take acid-lowering medicine for a long time?

For most people who need it, yes. It is best to use the lowest dose that works, and to check every so often whether you still need it. Do not stop any medicine on your own.

Can I use herbs and acupuncture with the H. pylori treatment?

Yes — they work well together. The antibiotics clear H. pylori, and herbs and acupuncture help settle the stomach and ease pain. Take the full course of medicine as prescribed.