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Acupuncture Treatment for IBS and Digestive Disorders
Treatment for IBS with Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both.
Chinese Medicine believes that IBS presents an imbalance between the liver and the spleen. For example the spleen is considered responsible for the taking in of food converting it to energy and supplying that energy to the organs of the body. And the livers job is to keep energy flowing smoothly so that everything works effectively.
When liver energy is not flowing smoothly, it has a knock on effect on the spleen, which disrupts the digestive system - thus causing the unpleasant symptoms of IBS.
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Digestive Disorders IBS, Constipation, Cramping, Gastritis, Nausea, Bloating, Flatulence, Ulcers, Gall Bladder
Our treatments are aimed at restoring liver and spleen harmony, thus bringing the body back to a healthy balance. Our practitioners achieve this by strengthening the body, mobilising the liver energy, improving digestion and correcting spleen function.
Acupuncture can also help IBS by:
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Providing pain relief (Pomeranz 1987).
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Regulating the motility of the digestive tract (Yin 2010, Chen 2008).
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Raising the sensory threshold of the gut. Various possible mechanisms have been identified, involving spinal nerves and NMDA receptors and a range of neurotransmitters (Xu 2009, Ma 2009, Tian 2008, Tian 2006, Xing 2004). A lowered threshold to bowel pain and distention are hallmarks of IBS.
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Increasing parasympathetic tone (Schneider 2007b). Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can stimulate colon spasms, resulting in abdominal discomfort. In people with IBS, the colon can be oversensitive to the smallest amount of conflict or stress. Acupuncture activates the opposing parasympathetic nervous system, which initiates the relaxation or 'rest and digest' response.
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Reducing anxiety and depression (Samuels 2008). The distress provoked by IBS symptoms can lead to a vicious cycle of anxiety-pain-anxiety, while the embarrassing nature of the condition can lead to feelings of depression. Acupuncture can alter the brain's mood chemistry, increases production of serotonin and endorphins (Han 2004), helping to combat these negative affective states.
Chinese therapies that successfully treat IBS are acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion and herbs.
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Food allergies can also be a trigger of IBS for some people. At Care Cure we also offer a comprehensive food intolerance and allergy test that covers over 100 items. This can lead to improvements in diet, which can directly result in improved symptoms. We offer a Free consultation where you can meet with our practitioners, receive a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and receive advice on the best treatment particular to your condition. Allergy tests can be done online or in our clinics.
When it comes to acupuncture treatments, it is important to choose a skilled and qualified practitioner with the knowledge and experience to achieve optimal results. Book with us today in the knowledge that you are in the best of hands.