Sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) often feel like they have tried everything to relieve their symptoms. However, an increasing number of studies show promising results treating IBS with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. These studies have documented that Chinese medicine is drug free and safe while effectively treating IBS.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome involves a group of symptoms that vary from person to person this variability is why it’s called a syndrome. IBS is also known as Spastic Colon or Mucus Colitis.

Symptoms if IBS revolve around abnormal movement of the small and large intestines, it includes abdominal cramping and pain, constipation, diarrhea, or often in alternating episodes of both. IBS is commonly accompanied by other gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, bloating and nausea. The symptoms of IBS are often aggravated by stress, but may also be aggravated by eating, and are frequently relieved after a bowel movement. An estimated 10-20% of people are affected by the symptoms of IBS, with three times as many women affected compared to men.

At present IBS is not a believed to be a structural problem, meaning there is no anatomical change involved, nor is it biochemical or infectious in nature. Researchers are exploring the theory that there are direct links between the brain and the gut, which would explain why many flare-ups are affected by emotional upsets or stress. However at the moment the cause of IBS remains unknown

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, IBS is mostly considered a disharmony between the Liver and the Spleen. The Liver is the organ system responsible for the smooth flow of substances throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of Qi (energy) or blood. The Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (Qi and Blood). The Spleen can be weakened by a number of factors, including unhealthy foods, overeating, overwork, anxiety or worry, infection or a lack of exercise. A Liver and Spleen disharmony occurs when the Spleen is weak and the Liver Qi is not free flowing, the Liver overacts on the Spleen and can manifest as symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A Liver/Spleen disharmony is similar to the short-term loss of appetite or bout of diarrhea that occurs during an occasional emotional upset. However, with IBS, the phenomenon occurs in slow motion; the emotional trauma or stress takes place over a long period of time, and the digestive symptoms of IBS can last for years.

TCM practitioners have available to them a variety of methods to correct a Liver/Spleen disharmony. Depending on each individual case, they may use acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or lifestyle changes such as diet, excercise or relaxation training to facilitate healing of this condition.

Stress, a common trigger for IBS, is aggravated by lack of sleep so getting good sleep is important. In addition, sleep helps the body heal and regenerate.

Practicing stress relief measures, such as meditation, visualization, yoga, breathing exercises, or quiet time are of great benefit to many sufferers.

Some sufferers have found probiotics, supplements that replace the good bacteria in the gut which are necessary for healthy digestion to be of help. Yogurt is a good source of beneficial bacteria, and supplements, such as lactobacillus acidophilus can be found in most natural foods stores.

While self help measures are useful getting professional support from a TCM practitioner can make a tremendous difference.