What is Leaky Gut ?

According to both TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and Western medicine, the gastrointestinal tract plays a key role in health. Long-term health is rooted in the balance of Stomach and Spleen Qi.  

Dysfunctions in the digestive system are often the root cause of several chronic diseases. One such relatively common dysfunction is leaky gut syndrome.  

As you can tell from the name, this is a condition where your intestinal walls become permeable. Leaky gut makes it easier for substances such as bacteria and toxins and even undigested food particles to leave the intestinal walls into the tissues beneath and even to the bloodstream.  

The signs of a leaky gut include: 

  • Digestive upsets such as bloating, constipation, and flatulence 
  • Poor immune function 
  • Cravings for carbohydrates or sugars 
  • Joint pain 
  • Skin rashes
  • Nutritional deficiencies 
  • Fatigue 
acupressure for leaky gut symptoms

It is worth noting that leaky gut has been associated with several chronic diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. 

Possible Causes of a Leaky Gut 

1. Alcohol and Painkillers 

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of developin leaky gut syndrome. 

According to a study appearing in the American Journal of Pathology, alcohol irritates the bowel lining. As a result, it can damage the seals between the cells and allow particles to pass via the gaps and into the bloodstream. 

Research shows that painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also contribute to an unhealthy gut lining. These irritants often cause inflammation of a particular bowel area. Over an extended period, they can lead to a leaky gut. 

2. Lack of Sufficient Fibre in Your Diet 

Is your diet rich in fibre? Fibre is known to help in preventing constipation. If your food is rich in fibre, you can be sure that you will have a smooth digestion process. Fibre enables probiotics or essential bacteria to live in your gut and help regulate digestion.  You will then be able to keep candida yeast and other harmful bacteria at bay, which prevents leaky gut. Therefore, it is necessary to consume a diet rich in fibre to prevent this leaky gut.

3. Gluten 

One of the causes of leaky gut disease is gluten. This is because gluten usually increases Zonulin, which is essentially a protein that makes your gut membrane perforated. Therefore, higher levels of this protein can increase intestinal permeability. 

4. Stress 

It is normal to have stress. However, if you are experiencing chronic stress, then there is a problem. A study published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology notes that stress can take a toll on your gut health.  Stress can weaken the immune system. This may lead to inflammation of your gut. This is because your body will have a decreased ability to defend itself against harmful bacteria and even viruses. 

What Next? 

The factors mentioned above can contribute to a leaky gut. It would help if you avoided them so that you have a healthy gut. This can enhance the proper digestion of food and even make you fit in the long run. Knowing the causes mentioned above will help you remain healthy for longer.  

If you are experiencing discomfort and complications due to a leaky gut, you should consider lifestyle changes. This may include regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and feeding your gut microbiome with probiotic foods. According to scientific studies, Traditional Chinese Medicine plays an important role in promoting gut health and gut microbiota.  

For more on the Leaky Gut Syndrome and how traditional Chinese medicine can help, reach out to us at Centre of Balance Hamilton today on 07 846 7956. Book an initial exam with one of our practitioners who will go through your current health issues and symptoms as well as your full health history. They will give you recommendations and a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

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References 

Ferrier, L., Bérard, F., Debrauwer, L., Chabo, C., Langella, P., Buéno, L., & Fioramonti, J. (2006). Impairment of the intestinal barrier by ethanol involves enteric microflora and mast cell activation in rodents. The American journal of pathology, 168(4), 1148-1154. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16565490/  

Bjarnason, I., & Takeuchi, K. (2009). Intestinal permeability in the pathogenesis of NSAID-induced enteropathy. Journal of gastroenterology, 44(19), 23-29. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19148789/  

Konturek, P. C., Brzozowski, T., & Konturek, S. J. (2011). Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options. J Physiol Pharmacol, 62(6), 591-9. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22314561/  

Zhang, R., Gao, X., Bai, H., & Ning, K. (2020). Traditional Chinese Medicine and gut microbiome: Their respective and concert effects on healthcare. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7188910/  

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Monica

I am originally from Hebei province in China. I hold a NZ bachelor’s degree of health and science with a major in acupuncture. I am honoured to be an acupuncturist at Centre of Balance. Helping patients to alleviate their pain brings me the greatest joy. Chinese medicine emphasises the unity of human beings and nature. During the treatment, I hope to not only relieve your pain but also help you to understand the principles behind acupuncture’s effectiveness, as well as the significant impact of diet, emotions, lifestyle habits, and living environments on disease recovery. Self-healing is an ability that our bodies are naturally endowed with.

I studied acupuncture in New Zealand and completed one and a half years of supervised clinical internship before graduating. In the early stage of my training, I mainly worked with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Under the guidance of senior clinical tutors, I gradually developed hands-on experience and confidence in treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.
As my clinical exposure expanded, I began treating a wider range of internal conditions. Alongside traditional acupuncture, I was introduced to Umbilical Acupuncture and Tungs-acupuncture Points. What interested me most about these approaches is that they often do not require needling directly at the painful area, yet can still achieve very effective results.
I was especially inspired by observing my supervisor use Umbilical Acupuncture to treat common conditions such as insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and even rheumatoid arthritis, with very positive outcomes. Another supervisor was highly skilled in Tungs-acupuncture Points and achieved excellent results in treating pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and a variety of women’s health conditions. After completing my studies and entering clinical practice, once I observed Dr. Szenan Phua using Tungs-acupuncture points to help cancer patients relieve pain, which further strengthened my trust in this treatment method.
I later completed training in Dr. Tan Balance Acupuncture, which had a strong influence on the way I approach treatment. One of the most noticeable features of this method is how quickly patients often feel improvement, especially with pain conditions. Dr. Szenan Phua’s New Balance Acupuncture combines meridian regulation with structural adjustment and internal organ balancing, including techniques such as pulse balancing and spinal adjustment.
From my clinical experience, pain is rarely just a local issue. It often involves underlying organ weakness or structural imbalance. When these aspects are addressed together, treatment can be more thorough and longer-lasting. I also apply this approach to internal conditions, particularly in fertility and women’s health. This includes supporting natural conception, IVF preparation and embryo transfer, pregnancy support, early-pregnancy nausea, and late-pregnancy labour induction. I combine these treatments with concepts learned from a few additional fertility training, which has given me a broader and more flexible clinical perspective. This has reinforced my belief that acupuncture should be adapted to each individual rather than applied through fixed formulas.
Two other areas of study that have been very helpful in my clinical work are Tongue Diagnosis and Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Although tongue diagnosis is taught in my standard Chinese medicine training, further study allowed me to deepen and refine my diagnostic skills.
My first formal training was in Li’s Tongue Diagnosis, which looks not only at organ patterns, but also at how different areas of the tongue reflect the body’s structure. This system also explores personality traits and changes during pregnancy, making it both clinically useful and engaging. I later attended online lectures on Yin’s Tongue Diagnosis and studied the related materials independently. this learning has helped me make clearer and more accurate pattern differentiation, allowing my acupuncture treatments to be more targeted. It covers a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, oncology-related presentations, mental health patterns, and joint or limb problems. In practice, tongue observation often provides valuable insight even before a patient begins describing their symptoms.
In addition to the methods above, I regularly use local bloodletting techniques, which can be very effective for improving circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. I also incorporate auricular (ear) acupressure and stimulation, which I commonly use for allergies, insomnia, headaches, stress management, and various internal conditions.
In my clinical work, I value taking the time to listen carefully to each patient and to understand their overall health, lifestyle, and concerns. Based on each individual’s condition, I also provide personalised dietary guidance and lifestyle or wellness advice to support overall health and long-term wellbeing. I commonly support patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as neck, shoulder, knee, and back pain, as well as stress-related conditions, sleep issues, migraines, digestive concerns, and women’s health and fertility-related conditions.