DIGESTION & GUT HEALTH

Acupuncture for IBS, Bloating & Gut Health in Colorado Springs

By afternoon your stomach is swollen and tight, and you're planning your day around where the nearest bathroom is. Maybe it's reflux that flares at night, or constipation that leaves you heavy and uncomfortable. You've cut foods, tried remedies, and still don't have answers. A thorough first visit with Dr. Dawna means your whole story is heard.

Schedule Appointment

New patients $110 · up to 90 minutes

Acupuncture treatment for shoulder and neck pain in Colorado Springs

Digestion & Gut Health Concerns Acupuncture Can Help

Your gut symptoms are real, and you deserve care that takes them seriously.

  • Bloating and gas

  • IBS symptoms: cramping, diarrhea, or both

  • Constipation and sluggish digestion

  • Acid reflux and heartburn

  • Indigestion and feeling full too fast

  • Nausea and an unsettled stomach

  • Food sensitivities and reactions

  • Stress that goes straight to your gut

  • Gut symptoms after antibiotics or illness

  • Fatigue and brain fog tied to digestion

Your gut is closely connected to the rest of your body.

  • The gut-brain connection. Stress can speed up, slow down, or upset digestion.

  • Your microbiome. The balance of gut bacteria shapes digestion, immunity, and mood.

  • Diet and blood sugar. Meal patterns and food triggers can drive bloating and discomfort.

  • Hormones and sleep. Cycles, cortisol, and poor sleep can all affect your gut.

As a DACM and Registered Nurse, Dr. Dawna looks for root causes, and your unique pattern guides your care.

Why Gut Health Is a Whole-Body Issue

How Acupuncture Can Help Your Digestion

Research suggests acupuncture may help ease some common digestive symptoms.

  • Calmer gut-brain signals. It may help your body shift into rest-and-digest mode.

  • Help with constipation. A large trial found more regular bowel movements than sham needling.

  • Support for IBS. Research is mixed, so it works best within a broader plan.

  • More in every visit. Acupuncture, bodywork, herbs, and nutrition, together in one appointment.

Research note: In a 2016 trial of 1,075 people with chronic severe constipation, eight weeks of electroacupuncture led to more complete bowel movements than sham acupuncture.

What Your Visit Looks Like

  • 1

    Your Story, Fully Heard

    A thorough first visit covering digestion, diet, stress, sleep, and medications.

  • 2

    Finding Your Pattern

    A Chinese medicine assessment shows what's driving your gut symptoms.

  • 3

    Gentle Acupuncture

    Ultra-fine, sterile needles help calm your nervous system and support digestion.

  • 4

    Soothing Bodywork

    Gentle abdominal work, acupressure, or Tui Na helps ease tension and bloating.

  • 5

    Your Plan

    Gut-friendly nutrition, herbs, supplements, and simple daily steps to keep you feeling better between visits.

  • Nearly 20 years of experience helping thousands of patients.

  • Certified Functional Medicine Clinician (CFMC), trained to look for root causes rather than just symptoms.

  • Conveniently located at 6885 Tutt Blvd, Suite 100, in northeast Colorado Springs.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Dawna Ara

  • Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (DACM) and Registered Nurse. Eastern medicine grounded in Western clinical training.

  • NCCAOM board certified. Licensed in Colorado & California.

  • Rated 4.8 on Yelp (56 reviews)

“Dr Ara is great. Super friendly and easy to talk to. I went to see her for chronic digestive issues and anxiety. I always felt so relaxed and calm afterwards. She gave me herbs that I really think helped with my stomach issues.”

~ JESSE F., GOOGLE

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Many people with IBS find acupuncture helpful as part of a broader plan, especially for stress-related flares. Research is mixed, so Dr. Dawna pairs it with nutrition and targeted gut support rather than relying on needles alone.

  • Most people are surprised by how little they feel. The needles are about as thin as a hair. You may notice a brief pinch, a dull ache, warmth or tingling, and then most patients relax deeply.

  • Please don't stop or change any prescription on your own. Many patients use acupuncture alongside their current care. If your goal is to reduce medication, talk with your prescribing provider first.

  • Everyone is different, and a series of visits usually works better than one or two. Many patients start weekly, then space visits out as digestion settles. Dr. Dawna checks in on your progress at every visit.

  • See your physician promptly for blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, trouble swallowing, ongoing vomiting, or severe or worsening pain. Acupuncture complements medical care and doesn't replace an evaluation.

  • A new patient visit is $110. Follow-up visits are $80. Herbs and supplements are available. Ask about packages if you're planning a series of treatments. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.

Ready to Feel Better?

You don't have to keep planning your life around your gut. Book your first visit with Dr. Dawna Ara, DACM, RN, and leave with a clear plan to help your digestion settle and your energy return.

Schedule Appointment

New patient visit: $110 · 6885 Tutt Blvd, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80923