Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Although there aren’t any treatments that can completely cure it, it is possible to manage the symptoms with proper medications. Unfortunately, most patients have to take these medications for their whole lives. But, with the constant drug use come a series of unwanted side effects.

As a result, plenty of people are considering alternative medicine, especially acupuncture and Chinese herbs. If you want to give this treatment a try, you need to know all there is about it. That’s why we’ve decided to compile all the research on acupuncture and Chinese herbs on IDB and whether or not it’s worth a try.

What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

This disease depicts a group of intestinal afflictions that irritate the digestive tract. This health issue creates prolonged sores and inflammation that affect the rectum and the inner lining of our biggest intestine, the colon.

The condition is divided into two primary types:

• Ulcerative colitis – the one that affects the colon.
• Crohn’s disease – the type that involves any section of the gastrointestinal tract including the rectum and mouth

This is a very debilitating condition that can be super painful and, in certain cases, even deadly.

Symptoms

Not everyone experiences IDB the same way, stated the Mayo Clinic. Depending on how serious the inflammation is, the signs can go from mild to severe. Simply put, it’s too unpredictable.

Sometimes, you may experience days when the disease is incredibly active and starts to affect your daily life. At other times, however, you may not experience any symptoms at all. This is what we call a period of remission.

According to Medical News Today, 30% of people with ulcerative colitis will experience mild symptoms.

If you have the condition, you may recognize it by the following symptoms:

• Exhaustion
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Cramps and pain in the abdomen
• Bloody stool
• Lack of appetite
• Constant weight loss (even though you are not on a diet or exercising)

Conventional Treatment

Right now, the disease can’t be cured, which is why conventional treatment is focused on easing the symptoms, prolonging remission, and preventing any serious health complications. Patients can either choose medication or surgery to manage the condition.

Some of the most typical drugs for IDB are:

• Anti-inflammatory meds
• Immune suppressors
• Corticosteroids
• Biologic therapies

Besides these more aggressive drugs, the doctor may recommend some milder medications like:

• Laxatives
• Antibiotics
• Antidiarrheal meds

However, after starting the medication, some patients may experience nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and uncomfortable headaches. That’s why people want to give traditional Chinese medicine a try.

How Can Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Help?

While conventional medication can help reduce inflammation, it doesn’t provide a satisfactory form of treatment. Also the side effects of medications turn patients into alternative or complementary approach. That’s where traditional Chinese medicine can come in handy.

Take acupuncture, for example. The main goal of this ancient Chinese treatment is to:

• replenish Qi (regulate body’s own healing and immune system)
• strengthen the digestive system
• managing the bowel movements
• reduce the inflammation (clear heat) and intestinal swelling (dampness),

That’s why it can be useful for managing symptoms of IBD and  Chinese herbs can be equally as beneficial. These plants have potent anti-inflammatory compounds that can soothe the signs of Crohn’s, avoid a reoccurrence, and protect the colon. But, it doesn’t expose the body to harmful side effects like medications do.

Why Chose Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Ancient Chinese medicine can be an effective therapy for both types of IDB. HealthCMI research shows that Chinese herbs and acupuncture have a 93.10% effect rate for managing IDB symptoms, while drugs have only a 75.86%.

Herbs and acupuncture can act as a natural painkiller, stated Health Line. This treatment has the potential to:

• Regulate the inflammation
• Reduce the activity of the disease
• Soothe the pain

According to the National Institutes of Health, traditional Chinese medicine could have highly potent therapeutic effects for managing Crohn’s. But, when combined with western medication, it can provide an even more effective way of managing the disease.

For patients with IDB and anemia, it can be useful to combine acupuncture with moxibustion, stated HealthCMI. Not only can it reduce the inflammation, but it can also keep the bowel movements on track.

But that’s not all. It seems that Chinese herbs, can be a useful treatment option for providing therapeutic effects. When it comes to treating IDB, this is a lot safer, and more cost-effective approach than regular meds stated the latest statistical analysis issued by BioMed Central.

Another research shows that there aren’t many treatments available for managing diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, patients have to rely on drugs that often come with side effects. Based on a careful analysis, traditional Chinese medicine showed promising results and even worthy of replacing conventional meds.

In a nutshell, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be an effective way of managing both types of inflammatory bowel disease. It has the potential to soothe the symptoms and help people live their life to the fullest.

Sunrise Neuro-Acupuncture Integrative clinic is an acupuncture and Chinese medicine clinic in Ottawa, Westboro. We provide care for inflammatory bowel disease. If you would like to receive more information about this treatment or to book an appointment, you can call us at 613-853-9099