Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects up to 15% of the US population. This painful, frustrating disease can be difficult to control, even with changes in diet and proper medication. For those struggling, alternative forms of treatment may be worth considering.
Acupuncture
The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture has many modern day applications. It is a stress reliever, a pain reliever, and, possibly, a way to get relief from the symptoms of IBS.
Acupuncture is based around the idea that the body is flowing with natural energy. This energy, qi, travels through vein-like meridians. When the energy is flowing evenly, the body is in harmony. Stress and everyday life can create blockages in the meridians, however. Just like blood when an artery becomes clogged, qi can't flow evenly through blocked meridians. The end result is illness and pain. Practitioners insert thin needles into the skin in an effort to unblock the meridian and redistribute energy evenly throughout the body.
While no large scale studies have been done to test acupuncture as a treatment method for IBS, it may be beneficial for reducing bloating and pain.
Herbs and supplements
There are a variety of herbs and supplements that can be used to ease the symptoms of IBS. Several studies on peppermint oil confirm the supplement's ability to reduce pain in patients with IBS by relaxing the stomach muscles. Chamomile may help with diarrhea, while amalaki supplements (made from an Asian fruit) may relieve constipation.
Probiotics can also be taken in supplement form. These pills contain live and active bacteria that help promote digestive health.
Hypnotherapy
It may seem far-fetched, but there is some evidence to suggest that hypnotherapy may be an effective treatment for IBS. In one study, 71% of participants noted improvements with hypnotherapy, and most of them-- 81%-- maintained those improvements after stopping the treatments. The initial length of treatment was one hour per week for 12 weeks, with the benefits seeming to last for up to five years.
Hypnotherapy doesn't necessarily involve someone telling you that you're getting sleepy -- very sleepy. Instead, a trained therapist talks you into a relaxed state, called a trance. The therapist then makes suggestions. For those with IBS, those suggestions may be targeted towards experiencing fewer symptoms -- less stomach pain and diarrhea, for example.
If you are struggling with IBS, consider talking to professionals like the West Omaha Chiropractic & Sports Injury Clinic about what forms of alternative treatment may work for you.
Share8 May 2015
Do you remember the first day you woke up with back pain? If you are like most folks, you probably tried to write off the problem until you realized that the issue was impacting your mobility. Back pain is serious, but not everyone takes the issue seriously at first. Not only can a little back spasm make it hard to shower, walk, or even sit comfortably, but back pain can also be a symptom of a deeper problem. The goal of my blog is to educate the public about back pain, so that you know how to tell when you are really in trouble.
