IBS and Acupuncture
By: Dr.Zhang
IBS is one of the most common disorders seen by doctors. A lot of people suffer from IBS for a long time. Most of them have seen many doctors and specialists. However, you shouldn’t lose hope before you try Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. I have helped a lot of IBS patients, from 6 year old boys to 84 year old ladies. They're all satisfied with their results. Generally speaking, the younger you are and the earlier you seek treatment after the problem occurs, the faster you’ll recover.
IBS is an intestinal disorder with a variety of symptoms including stomach cramping, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Symptoms are frequently triggered by stress, emotional factors, or food. IBS occurs when the intestines are not functioning accordingly. There are no structural abnormalities that can be seen by x-rays, endoscopes, or blood tests.
Medical research hasn¡¯t yet found a remedy to treat IBS because there is no anatomic defect can be found in IBS patients. Although there are some medicine available to treat IBS such as Alosetro (Lotronex) and Tegaserod (Zelnorm), they still come with severe side effects.
However, acupuncture and chinese medicine has the capability to treat IBS.
The World Health Organization has identified many different conditions as appropriate for acupuncture treatments, including several that pertain directly to IBS:
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle cramping
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine has been proven to be very effective for stress reduction and many related problems that are often triggers for IBS symptoms. Some are:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Menstrual cramps
- Premenstrual syndrome
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views an individual as an energy system in which body and mind are unified, each influencing and balancing each other. In TCM, a person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi (energy) in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang. It is believed to flow through the body along 14 main pathways called meridians. If the flow of Chi is obstructed, excessive, or unbalanced, Yin and Yang are thrown out of balance. That¡¯s when pain and illness occurs.
Most Common Patterns of Disharmony in IBS
Spleen Qi Deficiency
In TCM, the Spleen is considered to be the key organ to regulate digestion. Its functions are close to the pancreas. IBS patients with this pattern will suffer from abdominal pain, gas, bloating and diarrhea. Acupuncture points are chosen which will help nourish the Spleen Qi (energy). And a group of herbs is combined together to specifically address a person's unique condition.
Liver Qi Stagnation/Stomach disharmony
In TCM, the Liver is the organ most affected by stress, irritation and anger. When its Qi becomes stagnant or stuck, the meridians that govern the liver and stomach are blocked which creates IBS. If you are always over-thinking, over-worrying or easily get frustrated, it will affect the energy flow in the meridian. So most likely the liver and stomach can¡¯t function properly. Symptoms can be triggered or aggravated by stress. There may be depression, or moodiness. Acupuncture is very effective at restoring the smooth flow of the Liver Qi.
A 25 year old girl came to me with many symptoms of IBS. She had suffered from IBS as a teenager and has many severe symptoms such as bloating, constipation and stomach cramps. She started a weekly acupuncture session along with Chinese herbal treatment. All the symptoms have disappeared.
A 70 year old senior also suffered from IBS for more than 30 years. The main symptoms she had were bloating and gas. I gave her about a month of acupuncture treatment. Druing that time, the bloating and gas gradually disappeared. She felt better and better after every treatment.
Having a positive attitude during treatment, cooperating with your acupuncturist and other small changes can have a large effect on your overall health. Each IBS patient has to be treated individually because there is a variety of causes for the disorder and everyone is different. Healthy diet together with regular excercise are extremely important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Don¡¯t let IBS rob you of your energy and your quality of life. Acupuncture can help you.
