Nausea is not a disease itself but a symptom of many medical conditions, some related to the nervous system and others to the stomach and digestive tract. Nausea is also commonly experienced as a side-effect of many drugs, including chemotherapy medications. Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. Prolonged nausea, if accompanied by vomiting, can cause rapid dehydration, which depletes the body of vital electrolytes and should be addressed immediately. Most cases of nausea are either due to a stomach flu, food poisoning, or motion sickness.

In Chinese medicine, the energies of the body have a specific rhythm and flow. The stomach energy normally flows downward; when it fails to flow in the proper direction and reverses upward, you experience nausea and vomiting. Treating the stomach and digestive tract is key to symptomatic relief, but to resolve the condition the underlying cause must be addressed. Acupuncture is one of the most effective drug­free therapies, and the National Institutes of Health recognizes the efficacy of acupuncture for treating nausea. We've treated many patients for nausea caused by stomach flu, migraine headaches, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Success rests on calming the rebellious energy and harmonizing the stomach with acupuncture and herbal remedies.