A Comprehensive Guide on Acupuncture as a Holistic Approach to IBS Treatment!

September 4, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide on Acupuncture as a Holistic Approach to IBS Treatment!

Do you face gastrointestinal issues on a regular basis? Are you done taking temporary treatments for your IBS? If so, it’s time to go for acupuncture for IBS treatment.

IBS, also known as (Irritable bowel syndrome), is a common gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. It can have a significant influence on an individual’s life. Although medicines do offer temporary relief, but many people look for a permanent treatment option to address its root cause. This is where acupuncture comes in.

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to restore balance and treat a wide variety of medical conditions. It also provides much-needed relief for people suffering from IBS. In this blog post, we’ll cover how acupuncture works for IBS and the many benefits this holistic treatment approach can offer. Read out to know…

IBS Acupuncture

How Does IBS Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used for thousands of years. It entails putting tiny needles into predetermined body locations. This is said to balance the body’s meridian lines and release blockages in chi, or life force energy.

Regarding IBS, acupuncture seeks to:

• Regulate digestive function by stimulating acupoints along the stomach and intestines meridians

• Ease abdominal pain and spasms by targeting musculoskeletal pain points

• Reduce stress and anxiety, which are IBS triggers for many, by calming the nervous system

• Control bowel habits and enhance bowel motility

Benefits of Acupuncture for IBS

Numerous clinical trials and reviews point to acupuncture’s effectiveness in reducing IBS symptoms and improving quality of life. Here are some key benefits:

  1. Provides overall symptom relief: Acupuncture for IBS on a regular basis relieves the overall symptoms of IBS, offering relief from discomfort and cramping.
  • Reduces abdominal pain and discomfort : Acupuncture also reduces both the frequency and severity of abdominal pain in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Decreases bloating, distention, and gas: Acupuncture has been shown more effective for relieving bloating, distention and gas experienced by IBS patients.
  • Regulates bowel patterns and motions: Acupuncture improved bowel habits and frequency of diarrhea/constipation in IBS patients who failed to improve on medication.
  • Reduces anxiety and depression associated: Multiple studies have seen acupuncture significantly lower IBS-related anxiety, depression and improve quality of life and mental well-being.
  • Provides long-lasting benefits: Benefits appear to be sustainable, with one trial noting IBS symptom relief over a 6-month follow-up after acupuncture treatment.
IBS

By addressing the root physiological causes through targeted stimulation of neural pathways and regulatory processes, acupuncture for IBS offers a promising holistic solution to IBS symptoms backed by extensive research evidence. Its integrated approach may even provide lasting effects compared to quick-fix medication options.

What to Expect from an Acupuncture Treatment for IBS?

An acupuncture for IBS treatment typically lasts 30-60 minutes. Here is a brief overview of what to expect:

  • Medical intake and evaluation – The best acupuncturist for IBS in Brooklyn will ask questions about your health history and IBS symptoms to develop a holistic diagnosis and treatment strategy.
  • Needle insertion – Ultra-fine sterilized needles will be manually inserted a few millimeters into specific acupuncture points. This is usually not painful, sometimes causing slight pressure or tingling.
  • Treatment – Once inserted, the needles may be manually manipulated or attached to a microcurrent device. You’ll lay comfortably as the therapist modulates your body’s energy flow.
  • Post-treatment – Some patients feel relaxed, while others experience temporary soreness. Drinking plenty of water is recommended. Effects like reduced pain may be felt right away or gradually over the next few days as your body recalibrates.
  • Follow-up treatments – Most patients see benefits after 6-10 sessions but consistent treatments, changes in diet/stress, and lifestyle habits boost results. Maintenance 1-3 times per year may be recommended.
Acupuncture Treatment

An experienced accredited acupuncturist for IBS in Brooklyn will customize treatments to your body and IBS triggers or flare-ups. Integrating complementary lifestyle modifications can help acupuncture work even more effectively for long-lasting relief.

Other holistic therapies that complement acupuncture for IBS

Pairing acupuncture with complementary and alternative modalities can provide a comprehensive integrative approach to managing IBS:

  • Herbal medicine – Formulas tailored to your IBS pattern support gut health from within. Common herbs include ginger, peppermint, and licorice.
  • Lifestyle changes – Removing trigger foods, managing stress with yoga/meditation, and getting proper sleep are important adjuncts.
  • Dietary therapy – An anti-inflammatory diet full of prebiotic fiber may settle digestion. Fermented foods help restore gut balance.
  • Mind-body techniques – Guided imagery, hypnotherapy, and deep breathing ease mental distress tied to bowel irregularity.
  • Bodywork modalities – Massage, chiropractic, and cupping stimulation improve muscle tone throughout the GI tract.
  • Probiotics – Targeted supplementation of beneficial bacteria can support healthy microbiome function in the gut.

By combining acupuncture with complementary holistic therapies, you empower your body’s innate self-healing responses for long-lasting IBS control. An integrative practitioner can design an optimal personalized protocol.

Acupuncture: A promising holistic solution for managing IBS

For those seeking an integrative treatment option beyond medication alone, acupuncture for IBS shows tremendous potential as a holistic solution for safely and effectively relieving IBS symptoms. Extensive research demonstrates its ability to recalibrate neuroregulatory imbalances, reduce inflammation, and restore healthy gut function at the root of the condition.

When anchored in a lifestyle of dietary therapy, herbal medicine, stress relief techniques, and other complementary strategies, acupuncture empowers lasting changes and self-care skills. By addressing the whole person and root physiological triggers, it offers a promising approach for not just symptom relief but ongoing management of this difficult functional gastrointestinal disorder over time.

Schedule an appointment with Bonafide Acupuncture now if you’re looking for the best acupuncture for IBS in Brooklyn.  For more information, explore our website now.