Alternative Treatment for IBS

Pain relief and speed healing with acupuncture

If you struggle with digestive issues such as IBS, we can help! Give our office a call today at (425) 686-4498 to set-up your initial consultation.

Alternative Treatment for IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disease suffered by an estimated 25-45 million people in the United States. Symptoms include chronic abdominal pain, bloating, excess gas and irregular bowel movements. Symptoms can be brought on by a number of triggers including anxiety, insomnia and stress. Although there is no known cure to IBS, there are numerous alternative treatments to prescription medication that can help relieve symptoms.

Herbal Therapies and Supplements for IBS

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses herbal remedies to treat a number of ailments and diseases including IBS.

Peppermint has been studied and used to help treat IBS discomfort. Because it is a natural antispasmodic, peppermint can help decrease muscle spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. Common ways to use peppermint include peppermint tea or peppermint oil, both can be found at your local health store and most grocery stores

Ginger can also be used to help IBS symptoms. Ginger works as an anti-inflammatory and is thought to strengthen the gastric lining and decrease nausea. You can buy ginger tea as well as make your own by boiling water with ginger root.

Fennel can immensely help bloating and gas due to IBS. Fennel is considered a carminative, meaning it has properties that prevent the formation of excess gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Fennel can also help heartburn, indigestion and common stomach pain. You can find fennel seeds in your local health food store and can be used to make tea.

Want more easy tips on beating the bloat? Get Dr. Ellie’s free guide here.

Acupuncture for IBS

Acupuncture is commonly used to treat chronic abdominal pain, bloating and other digestive symptoms. A recent study in the journal BMC Gastroenterology, looked to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome in primary care setting when provided as an adjunct to usual care. The study used patients diagnosed with IBS and monitored symptoms and improvement using the IBS Symptom Severity Score (SSS). The study found that those in the study receiving acupuncture were found to have significant improvement in outcomes at three months. They found that there was some evidence of a sustained benefit over the longer term and that acupuncture should be considered as a potential treatment option in primary care alongside other evidence-based treatments.

Probiotics

Probiotics are a healthy bacteria that normally live in your gut. It has been thought that those with IBS do not have enough probiotics in their intestinal tract. You can easily add probiotics to your diet by eating foods such as yogurt and sourdough bread. If you are gluten-free or have dairy allergies, you can also find them in Kombucha and kefir or take Probiotic supplements. A recent study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, found that probiotics can help to reduce pain and symptom severity scores in those with IBS.

Can Meditation and Exercise Help?

Meditation and exercise are excellent stress relievers and in turn can relieve IBS symptoms that are commonly caused by stress and anxiety. Not only does exercise release endorphins that help fight stress, but regular physical activity can help regulate your gastrointestinal system. Research done at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on meditation and IBS found that women who practiced mediation had around a 38% reduction in symptoms, according to U.S. News. Meditation focuses on deep breathing and staying in the moment to relax the mind and body.

If you struggle with digestive issues, we can help! Give our office a call today at (425) 686-4498 to set-up your initial consultation.

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.