|
|
|
Acupuncture
Chinese Herbs Treatment for IBS
|
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS) is one of the most common
gastrointestinal problems. In our practice we have seen so many
cases, The patients vary from teenage to elderly people. Some
came to our clinic for treatment of IBS, some came for other
problems with IBS symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine could
treat IBS very effectively. |
| In Chinese medical opinion, IBS mainly results
from stress and the dysfunction of the Spleen and Stomach. The
Spleen and Stomach's function is to digest food and transport
the food into nutrition , then transport the nutrition to all
part of body. The stress can cause Liver Qi stagnation , stagnated
Liver Qi can invade Spleen and Stomach and cause Spleen and
Stomach dysfunction. When The Spleen and Stomach dysfunction,
the most common result is dampness retention in the digestive
system, so that the patients would have some symptoms such as:
frequent bowel movement with loose stools, painful abdomen,
wind and bloated stomach , poor appetite, etc. However, each
individual patient is treated with a different prescription
according to the main treatment principles based on syndrome
differentiation. |
| |
|
|
Stagnation of Liver Qi
|
| This condition is mainly caused by stress and
depression. It is characterised by tightness in the chest and
around the rib regions , patients are usually emotional and
sigh a lot. Other symptoms include : loose stools , poor appetite
, painful abdomen , symptoms worse by stress. |
| The treatment is usually using acupuncture or herbal remedies
to smooth the Liver Qi and harmonise the Spleen. |
| |
|
|
Cold - dampness
|
| Cold - dampness is usually a direct result of dysfunction
of the Spleen and Stomach. The condition is manifested by frequent
bowel movement with loose, watery stools, bloated abdomen, poor
appetite. |
| The treatment : using herbal remedies to expel cold and eliminate
dampness. |
| |
|
|
Heat- dampness
|
This type of condition has frequent bowel movement with smelling
stools and a burning sensation, abdominal pain, thirst, and
patients normally like cold drink. |
| The treatment uses acupuncture or herbal remedies
to clear excessive heat and dampness. |
| |
|
|
Deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach
|
| Deficiency Spleen and stomach is a result of dysfunction of
these organ system, it can be chronic condition. It manifested
other symptoms as well as poor appetite, nausea, abdominal bloated,
tiredness, pale complexion. |
| The treatment should be to tonic the Spleen and regulate the
Stomach Qi. |
| |
|
|
Deficiency of the Kidney yang
|
| When the Spleen deficiency develop it can damage Kidney yang,
caused kidney yang deficiency. It is usually marked by loose
bowels in the early morning with acute abdominal pain, cold
limbs, weakness in the lower back and knees. |
| The treatment commonly used herbal remedies to warm the Kidney
yang and to strengthen the Spleen Qi. |
| |
|
|
Case history
|
| |
| A boy, 17 years old, suffered from IBS for several years,
his symptoms are frequent bowel movement , sometimes over ten
times daily, painful abdomen. It can be worse before go to toilet;
tightness in the chest, tiredness, pale complexes.. Stress can
make his symptoms worse . He had to leave the school and he
could not find a job because this problems. His case is Stagnation
type IBS. During the first session, I gave him acupuncture to
smooth his Liver Qi and used heat lamp and acupuncture to harmonize
his Spleen. I also gave him a herbal tablet to balance his Liver
and his Spleen. In the second visit, one week later, he told
me that after first session, his abdominal pain was much better,
he went to toilet 2-3 time a day, his appetite much better,
he felt much stronger. I repeated the same treatment again.
Three weeks later, his loose stools is much better, I showed
him some Chi Kung exercises to release stress , and some massage
to harmonize his Spleen. A few weeks later, he recovered from
IBS, his bowel movement almost back to normal, his symptoms
occasionally came back a little bit when he have some stress,
but he leaned how to do Qi kung exercise to release and control
that. Now he is a car machinist, he enjoys his work and his
life. |
| Irritable Bowel syndrome, as we said, is normally caused by
stress and dysfunction of the Spleen and Stomach. Apart from
the treatment , lifestyle is also very important, we suggest
our patients to do some relaxation exercises such as Chi Kung
, tai Chi, Meditation, and some suggestion about their diet.
We also teach them some self-massage and acupressure point to
harmonise their body, release and prevent problems. |
| |
|
Patient's testimonial
| Since developing IBS two and a half years ago I decided to
ask Qing and John Zhang my acupuncturist whether it good results
using this and a combination of Chinese herbs. They have controlled
IBS very well and did not have any side effects. I have also
had acupuncture for my back which the result are amazing as
when I went to Qing with a very stiff lower back and just able
to drive and walk within 30 minutes treatment I could touch
my toes! And feel no pain, that is something I will never forget
and always recommend Qing and John Zhang, the treatment and
caring way you are treated is first class, I have also taken
of Tai Chi through John to help with general health. |
| R Penny |
| |
|
| Andrew Sims 2/9/2003 (Colitis IBS) |
| I have had ulcerative collis for about
6 years, treated by steroids and tablets. Since having acupuncture
for about 10 weeks now, I feel so much better and also taking
herbal remedies I have noticed the colitis is not so bad, the
inflammation of the bowel is much settled, and I have learned
to relax and try not to get stressed out. After having acupuncture
I feel relaxed and more confident. Also the doctor at the hospital
said my blood test results we so much better and to carry on
as I have been. I think this has greatly helped me, and I would
like to say a big Thank You. |
| |
|
| Back to Conditions page |
|
