Borborygmus: What Your Stomach Noises Say About Your Gut Health in TCM

Acupuncture helps balance digestive energy and calm the gut - easing constant stomach rumbling

Have You Heard Your Stomach Talking to You?

Have you heard your stomach talking to you lately? Rumbling when you’re hungry or after you’ve eaten? Those are normal sounds of the gut called borborygmus. However, if you hear those noises all the time — even when you’re not hungry — it may signal an imbalance in your digestive system.

My Personal Experience with Borborygmus

There was a time in my life where this was happening — my gut was constantly making noises, and I was sick with something that no Western doctor could explain. I wasn’t an acupuncturist at the time, but I knew enough to realize that it wasn’t normal. Tests were completed and no answers were ever found...until I went to school for Acupuncture.

When I think back to that time of my life, I know that any acupuncturist would've easily understood the problem and effectively treated me. I learned the lesson the hard way so hopefully you won't have to.

Borborygmus in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), borborygmus is considered an imbalance of one’s qi (energy). The two main TCM patterns associated with this condition are Cold and Qi Stagnation.

When Cold Affects the Large Intestine

Just like cold can invade the uterus and cause painful periods, it can also directly affect the Large Intestine. Cold weather or eating excessive cold and raw foods — such as smoothies, salads, or iced drinks — can impair digestion. Symptoms of Large Intestine Cold may include:

• A physical feeling of cold in the abdomen

• Abdominal pain

• Loose stool or diarrhea

• Clear urine

Qi Stagnation: The Emotional Gut Connection

When Qi Stagnation is the root cause, emotions are often involved. Stress, frustration, or irritability can slow the natural flow of qi, creating tension in the digestive system.You may also notice:

• Abdominal distention or bloating

• Irregular periods

• Frequent sighing (a sign your body is trying to move stuck qi!)

How Acupuncture Helps Calm the Gut

If you’re experiencing consistent gurgling or rumbling in your abdomen, know that it’s not something to ignore. Once your doctor rules out any medical conditions, acupuncture can help regulate digestion and restore the smooth flow of qi. Through targeted acupuncture points, we can warm the digestive system, ease tension, and bring your body back to its natural rhythm — quieting those constant stomach sounds.

✨ Ready to calm your gut and quiet the noise?

Book an acupuncture session at Union Yoga & Physical Therapy in Annandale, VA. Let’s help your digestion find its natural balance again — no more noisy stomach!