Treating IBS With Acupuncture -IBS Relief

In 2000, pharmaceutical companies sold over 96 billion dollars in drugs to treat digestive-related conditions; many of them with adverse side effects[1].

Did you know that makers of drug medications make over 96 billion dollars a year on digestive-related conditions[2]!  There are over  61 million people in America suffer from some type of digestive complaint such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, colitis, and Crohn’s Disease[3]. Are you benefiting as much from your medications as the drug companies. If not keep reading!

Do you suffer from:

• Spastic colon?
• Constipation alternating with loose stools or constipation? alternating with diarrhea?
• Irregular bowel patterns?
• Pain or discomfort on elimination?
• Diarrhea first thing upon awakening or in bouts?
• Mucus in the stool?
• Bloating, gas, nausea or dyspepsia triggered after eating

IBS is described as a “functional” illness — the small and large intestines aren’t functioning appropriately although there is no structural damage found through diagnostic testing. No anatomic defect can be found in IBS patients. So increasing function in the bowel would be the way to treat such conditions. Using anti-spasmodic or anti-diarrhea medication doesn’t treat function, it treats only the symptoms.

How Acupuncture Provides IBS Relief 

Surprisingly acupuncture, a 3,500 year old therapy that has been popularized for treating pain, but what many don’t know is that it can also treats IBS.

• Acupuncture is method of healing that involves placement of needles at strategic sites that help increase blood flow to the spleen and intestines and helps regulate blood flow thus restoring function to the digestion.
• Acupuncture is drug free method of treatment.
• Acupuncture helps calm the mind treating the emotional part of the condition.
• Acupuncture helps relax the fascia (the sheath above the organs) and intestines by facilitating blood flow to regulate the intestines.
• Acupuncture can help send blood to the stomach improving digestion.
• Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with other therapies including medication and diet.
• Chinese herbal medicine or certain vitamins can be used to restore the gut function by helping regular movement reducing the inflammatory reactions, and promote better absorption.

What you need to know about Acupuncture for IBS before starting

1. Acupuncture has no side effects like medications Since no medication is injected through the needles, it has no adverse side effects and can be used concurrently with medications.

2. Give the process an honest effort, and at least several treatments before you decide if it helps or not. Be realistic!

3. If you are on medication, don’t expect to flush your pills down the toilet after your first visit! Stay on what you know is working, even if it is somewhat working. Acupuncture can then be used from that benchmark to see how much more your condition improves. Rapidly going off of your medications is a recipe for bad side effects. If you are on medication, make no changes without speaking to your gastrointestinal doctor. Some may be able to reduce the level of medication, while others use the acupuncture in addition to get added benefit to fill the “gap” that medications may not provide. We work with your case not against it. It is recommended that you should work closely with your gastrienterologist to monitor and titer the medication accordingly.

4. Find the right acupuncturist! Acupuncture is more than just needles. You need to be able to relate to the acupuncturist as a person.

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