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Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Acupuncture & Herbs

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Calming the Gut: Acupuncture for IBS

By:

Elias Lu, DTCM,

Acupuncture Physician

Point of Cure Acupuncture and Electromedicine in Tampa Bay, Florida

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common GI disorder characterized by persistent or intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and changes in defecation habits. Antispasmodics, laxatives and/or antidiarrheals are used to treat the symptoms depending on the pattern.

 

Acupuncture is a beneficial alternative treatment. Studies in China have shown that acupuncture is more effective in relieving IBS symptoms and causes fewer adverse events than many antispasmodics. It’s thought that acupuncture affects the brain-gut axis, gastrointestinal motility, and visceral hypersensitivity.

 

The following acupoints are used most frequently: Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and Neiting (ST 44).

 

Several Chinese herbal formulas may be effective in managing IBS-C and IBS-D:

 

  • Liu Jun Zi Tang

  • Si Ni San

  • Tong Xie Yao Fang

  • Xiao Chai Hu Tang

  • Xiao Yao San

Upset Stomach

For more information or to schedule a FREE treatment, please contact Point of Cure by phone at 727-252-6060 or via this website.

Sources

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Liang, S. B., Han, M., Cheng, H. J., Zhang, Q. Y., Zhang, N. W., Jia, B. Y., Robinson, N., & Liu, J. P. (2022). Chinese herbal formula Tongxie Yaofang for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomized, multiple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Trials, 23(1), 226. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06142-x

 

Qi, L. Y., Yang, J. W., Yan, S. Y., She, Y. F., Hu, H., Li, Y., Chi, L. L., Wu, B. Q., Tu, J. F., Wang, L. Q., & Liu, C. Z. (2022). Effect of acupuncture for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Trials, 23(1), 711. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06639-5

 

Shi, Y. Z., Tao, Q. F., Qin, D., Chen, M., Yu, S. G., & Zheng, H. (2022). Acupuncture vs. antispasmodics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: An adjusted indirect treatment comparison meta-analysis. Frontiers in physiology, 13, 1001978. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.1001978

doctor's picture

Dr. Elias Lu, DTCM is an acupuncture physician with Point of Cure Acupuncture and Electromedicine. In practice for over 25 years, he integrates traditional Chinese medicine with modern functional therapies to help people with chronic pain, trauma, neurodegenerative disorders, anxiety, depression, and many other life's challenges.

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