Acupuncture and Irritable Bowel
Syndrome
Do you suffer from irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS)? According to the International Foundation for Functional
Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), an estimated 25-45 million people in the
United States have IBS (source). This
all-too-common disease is characterized by chronic stomach pain, bloating,
diarrhea, constipation, excess gas, and irregular bowel movements. While
there's no known cure for IBS, however, acupuncture may offer relief.
A recent study conducted by researchers
in the U.K. found acupuncture to offer relief of IBS symptoms. For the study,
researchers split 233 IBS patients into two groups, one of which receive
acupuncture plus the usual care, while the second group strictly received the
usual care.
"Acupuncture for irritable
bowel syndrome provided an additional benefit over usual care alone. The
magnitude of the effect was sustained over the longer term. Acupuncture should
be considered as a treatment option to be offered in primary care alongside
other evidenced based treatments," wrote researchers in the study's conclusion.
So, how is this Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) able to treat IBS? Traditional Chinese belief states that our
bodies have an active energy force (Qi) which connects our organs and vital
systems. Normally, Qi flows without obstruction, traveling along defined paths
known as the meridian system. When a blockage occurs within the body, blood
becomes stagnant and systems are vulnerable to disease and illness, which is
where acupuncture comes into play.
Acupuncture involves the placement of
thin needles in specific areas of the body, rightfully known as acupuncture
points. While the exact number of acupuncture points has fluctuated over
the years, TCM practitioners give the ballpark figure of roughly 2,000, all of
which are spread across 12 major meridians and 8 secondary meridians. The
primary function of acupuncture is to restore Qi by correcting blockages in the
meridians. When Qi begins to flow, diseases and health conditions such as IBS
correct themselves.
Will acupuncture cure your IBS? There's
no enough evidence to definitively say that it's a cure for IBS. However,
numerous studies, including the one cited above, attest to the healing power of
acupuncture. Whether you experience minor or severe symptoms as a result of
IBS, you should consider seeking acupuncture. It's a safe, painless and highly
effective way to treat a wide variety of diseases, only of which is Irritable
Bowel Syndrome.
Give me a call today to learn how you
can get back on track to better health!
Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM, C.SMA
New York Sports Acupuncture
(888) 375-5444
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