Acupuncture for IBS
Learn how to improve digestive health and alleviate IBS symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common digestive issues in the US, affecting 10 – 12% of the adult population.
Symptoms can include abdominal cramping and pain, diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, constipation and an urgency to pass a bowel movement.
For many IBS sufferers, symptoms are brought on after eating and flare-ups can last up to four days. IBS can hinder one’s day-to-day life as you can become anxious and nervous about eating and being near a restroom should symptoms occur.
Learn what causes IBS, common triggers and how acupuncture for IBS can improve digestive health, alleviate symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
What causes IBS?
The exact cause of IBS is unknown; however, there are a number of factors associated with the aetiology of IBS and why the gut reacts in such a way. These include:
An imbalance in gut bacteria. The gastrointestinal system houses trillions of microbes including bacteria, viruses and fungi. There are hundreds of bacterial species in your gut whose job is to protect your body from pathogens, and assist with food digestion and nutrient extraction. People with IBS appear to have an imbalance in gut bacteria and often have an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria which contributes to changeable bowel motions, gas and bloating.
Overactive or underactive intestinal muscle contractions. The intestines are layered with muscles and their role is to contract and move food through the digestive tract. When intestinal muscles are overactive, it can cause diarrhea, flatulence and bloating. On the flip side of that, if intestinal muscles are weak, food moves too slowly through the gut, leading to hard, dry stools.
A gastrointestinal infection such as food poisoning or parasites can lead to post-infectious IBS. This is thought to be due to the infection causing inflammation in the gut, changes to gut bacteria and the gut lining becoming more permeable to harmful microbes.
A breakdown in the gut-brain connection and nervous system abnormalities.The gut and the brain are connected via the vagus nerve which connects into the amygdala in the brain and travels all the way down to the adrenal glands. The gut sends chemical messages to the brain and vice versa. If the gut-brain connection becomes impaired or your nervous system becomes overactive, the signalling between the gut and brain is negatively impacted. This can cause abdominal pain, cramping, constipation and diarrhea.
Common IBS triggers
Stress and anxiety can make your gut overactive, triggering IBS symptoms. The stress response stimulates the release of particular hormones including corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) which can activate your immune system and make you more hypersensitive; this can lead to you potentially developing an allergic reaction to food. Stress can also cause an imbalance in gut bacteria and compromise gut function.
Eating too quickly or on-the-run is not good for your digestion and can cause you to swallow excessive air, creating gas and bloating.
Certain food groups including gluten and wheat products (bread, pasta, pastries, cereals), dairy, beans/legumes/lentils, processed foods, chocolate, garlic, onion, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower have all been linked to IBS.
Drinking soda, alcohol and caffeinated drinks (including coffee) creates acidity and inflammation in the body, and also aggravates the gut. Caffeine overstimulates the gastrointestinal system and increases gut motility which can lead to cramping, diarrhea and gas.
Poor sleep has been linked to IBS due to the effect it has on the central nervous system, hormone production and the gut-brain connection.
Can acupuncture help with IBS?
Acupuncture has proven effective in alleviating IBS symptoms and reducing flare-ups by restoring balance to the body.
It can help to:
Relieve pain and discomfort associated with IBS symptoms including cramping and bloating. Acupuncture has also shown to raise the sensory threshold of the gut; quite often those with IBS have a lowered threshold to bowel pain and distension (a swollen, painful belly).
Improve gut motility so that food moves along the digestive tract more efficiently therefore preventing symptoms such as hard stools and constipation (under-active motility) and diarrhea, flatulence and bloating (over-active motility).
Reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. When you get stressed, your body activates the sympathetic nervous system which can cause the colon to spasm. Acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (also called “rest and digest”) which slows the body down, relaxing gastrointestinal muscles and improving digestion.
Increase the production of serotonin and endorphins (your happy hormones) to promote feelings of wellbeing and alleviate anxiety and low mood which can often accompany IBS.
How to improve gut health
In addition to using acupuncture for IBS, you can also improve gut health through diet and lifestyle. Award-winning board-certified internist and integrative medicine physician, Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly, recommends the following:
“After ruling out other possible causes for digestive symptoms, it is important to identify root causes, triggers and mediators of current symptoms. For instance, in some patients, the presence of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) can be responsible for bloating and changes in bowel habits. If there is a strong clinical suspicion for this, a breath test should be done to determine if SIBO is present, and if so, this should be treated. Stool testing can be helpful as well, in order to identify a possible imbalance in the gut microbiome, inflammation in the gut and assess the individual’s ability to digest food.
For many individuals, identifying foods that trigger their symptoms, and eliminating these foods is key. Dietary approaches that are supported by evidence include the low FODMAPs diet and a gluten-free diet, but after years of practice, I have learned that there is no “one size fits all” approach and that it is key that an individual works with a qualified healthcare provider and/or a registered dietitian or a nutrition specialist to determine the best elimination diet for their needs.
Stress management and lifestyle habits are paramount when it comes to IBS. Many individuals with IBS note that their symptoms improve when they go on vacation. While their diet is often more liberal on vacation, it’s the lower stress levels, that tend to calm the gut. It is therefore important to create a plan for effective stress management, so that the symptoms of IBS can be better managed. Mindfulness based stress reduction and yoga are two modalities that have been shown to be effective.
Certain probiotics, supplements and herbal remedies such as Iberogast have shown some evidence for their use in IBS. It is important to be under the care of a qualified healthcare provider to determine which approach may be right for you, to monitor for possible side effects and check for contraindications.”
Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly is a double board-certified internist and integrative medicine physician, who provides telemedicine and in person consultations. Dr. Weatherly works with a health coach in her practice and collaborates with dietitians and nutritionists to support her patients with IBS symptoms.
Acupuncture for digestion
IBS is an uncomfortable and distressing gastrointestinal condition which causes bloating, abdominal cramps and changeable bowel motions. Symptoms can be triggered by poor digestion, diet, stress and lack of sleep. Acupuncture is a safe and effective modality which helps alleviate IBS symptoms by improving gut motility, reducing stress, pain and discomfort, and promoting feelings of wellbeing.
Speak to one of our experienced acupuncturists today so they can help you manage your IBS naturally.
All information in this article, including, but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in the article, is strictly for informational purposes only. The content is NOT intended to serve as or be a substitute for professional medical, pediatric or psychiatric advice, nor is it designed to suggest any specific diagnosis or treatment. Please always seek medical advice from your physician or a qualified health care provider regarding any medical questions, condition or treatment, particularly before making any changes to your health care regimen, medications or lifestyle habits. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking help from a health care provider due to something you have read in this article. Reliance on any information in this article, specifically applied to your own case, is solely at your own risk.
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