Peptic Ulcer

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tony Willcox, PhD, D.A.O.M., A.P.
Last reviewed: September 2026

A peptic ulcer is an open sore that develops on the lining of the stomach (a gastric ulcer) or the upper part of the small intestine (a duodenal ulcer). This makes it distinct from gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining without an open sore, though the two share many of the same causes. For many years, ulcers were blamed on stress and spicy food. Still, modern medicine has shown that most cases are caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or by long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This discovery transformed treatment: identifying and addressing the underlying cause — often with antibiotics and acid-reducing medication — can allow ulcers to heal.

Peptic ulcer symptoms can include:

• A burning or gnawing pain between the breastbone and navel, often between meals or at night
• Bloating, belching, or a feeling of fullness
• Nausea or intolerance of certain foods
• In more serious cases, dark or bloody stools, or vomiting — which are medical emergencies

The main causes are H. pylori infection and regular NSAID use; smoking, alcohol, and stress can aggravate symptoms. Because untreated ulcers can bleed or perforate, and because symptoms can overlap with more serious conditions, medical diagnosis is considered essential — not optional — before considering any complementary support.

In Chinese medicine, the burning epigastric pain of ulcer-type conditions is often approached through the Stomach and Spleen, where patterns such as Stomach heat, Liver-Qi invading the Stomach (a stress-driven pattern), or Spleen deficiency may be considered. This framework focuses on digestive comfort and how stress and emotion affect the gut — it does not address bacterial infections or medication use that modern medicine identifies as the root cause. That’s why, specifically for ulcers, the Chinese medicine approach is positioned strictly as comfort-oriented support alongside medical treatment.

For peptic ulcer disease, acupuncture is not a treatment for the ulcer itself — the ulcer needs medical care. What acupuncture may support is the surrounding digestive discomfort: bloating, nausea, and epigastric unease that often accompany ulcers and related conditions like acid reflux, as well as the stress that can worsen how the gut feels.

Most of the research here concerns functional dyspepsia — persistent indigestion without a clear structural cause — rather than active ulcers. A 2020 systematic review in a gastroenterology journal found that acupuncture and electroacupuncture appear to be promising add-on therapies for functional dyspepsia symptoms, while noting that the evidence base needs strengthening (Guo et al., World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2020). For anyone with a diagnosed ulcer, acupuncture is offered only as comfort-focused support, always alongside — and never instead of — the medical treatment that actually heals the ulcer.

A first visit begins with confirming that a patient is under medical care for their ulcer, since that comes first. Dr. Willcox will ask about symptoms, diet, stress, and medications before focusing acupuncture on digestive comfort and stress relief rather than the ulcer itself. Sessions are calm and gentle. Because acupuncture here is supportive rather than curative, its goal is to help a patient feel more comfortable while their medical treatment does the work of healing.