Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Recommended Treatments
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can give rise to a whole host of digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain, urgency and nausea. These are tackled most effectively in Chinese medicine with acupuncture. Some patients require stronger treatment by combining acupuncture with other therapies such as herbal medicine or ear-seed acupressure.
How Can Chinese Medicine Help With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Digestive disorders in Chinese medicine naturally indicate that there is a disharmony between the organs that control digestion in the body. This disharmony is commonly caused by stress, diet or lifestyle factors which can all put a strain on the digestive system often over a period of many years, causing it to become imbalanced. Gradually over the course of your treatment, Chinese medicine can correct the appropriate imbalances that are occurring within your body and smooth out your digestion.
From a Western perspective, digestive symptoms in the body can be a result of hyperactivity of the nervous and endocrine systems, commonly seen amongst those who suffer from chronic stress. Preliminary studies into Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture suggest these therapies can help the body to restore and maintain the normal balance within these systems in order to treat digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and bloating.
Acupuncture For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Acupuncture points for problems related to your digestion will tend to be located on your wrists, elbow, abdomen, back and legs. Lily will choose acupuncture points depending on the characteristics of your symptoms as this determines which organs require particular attention. The acupuncture prescription will therefore be tailored to your personal requirements, helping to nourish and balance out energies in order that harmony is regained within your body.
Chinese Herbal Medicine For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chinese Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is the strongest form of Chinese herbal medicine for digestive problems and comes as packets of dried herbs. Following your initial consultation, a Chinese herbal prescription is written that contains approximately ten to fifteen herbs, carefully chosen by Lily for your individual case. Herbal teas are typically administered on a daily basis by boiling one packet of medicine per day and drunk twice a day. Depending on the herbs that are chosen, the tea can taste bitter but if this is a concern for you, Lily will make sure that your herbal prescription is balanced out with sweet herbs to help the preparation taste better without compromising on its effectiveness.
Chinese Herbal Tablets
For some patients, the time required to prepare the herbal tea is simply not feasible and for these patients, Chinese herbal tablets are usually the best alternative. There are currently two forms of Chinese herbal tablets that Lily offers to her patients.
Powder Prescription Tablets
Like herbal tea, powder prescription tablets are individualized to your requirements after Lily has written a Chinese herbal prescription. The powdered form of each herbal ingredient in the prescription will then be mixed together and made into tablets by specially selected Chinese medicine suppliers who use only approved herbal ingredients and advanced tableting methods. This is a popular method of administration due to its convenient nature that does not compromise on specificity.
Patent Herbal Medicine
Patents are herbal medicines that are manufactured based on a common Chinese herbal prescription. Lily will decide which patent is the most suitable for your condition and provide you with a box of tablets which is usually administered on a daily basis. The medicine is based on a generic prescription that makes it the least individualized form of herbal medicine and generally perceived as the weakest treatment. However, these herbal medicines are extremely convenient for patients with busy schedules and are also the least expensive form of Chinese herbal treatment.
Patent Tea Granules
Patent tea granules are instant teas based on a common Chinese herbal prescription and are most helpful for resolving symptoms quickly such as abdominal pain or constipation. The effects of patent tea granules are not long-lasting, however, as they are much gentler and milder and are therefore ideal as a supplement to the main form of Chinese herbal medicine.
Acupressure For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ear-seed acupressure tends to be effective for patients whose digestive problems are brought on by bouts of stress who require an additional calming effect produced by pressing certain acupuncture points on the ear. Ear-seed acupressure is performed by placing small plasters containing the Chinese herbal seed vaccaria onto certain reflex zones on the ear that correspond to different organs in the body. You will be asked to press each point firmly on a daily basis or when you are suffering from your digestive problems.
If you suffer from nausea, Lily can teach you to perform acupressure, massage at certain points, which can help to subdue feelings of sickness. These techniques are very simple to learn and discrete to carry out, particularly helpful if you are caught unaware when you are at work or out and about.
Course Of Treatment
Some patients respond quickly to Chinese herbal treatment and begin to experience alleviation from their symptoms within one or two weeks. Most patients will see improvements to their condition within four weeks of taking Chinese herbal medicine.
Acupuncture treatments are initially performed once a week and can help some patients feel better within two treatments but for most patients, changes to symptoms can be expected by the fifth or sixth acupuncture treatment.
Chinese medicine treatments aim to direct your own body toward helping itself alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing and long-term treatment is not necessary for the majority of patients. After your condition has improved, most patients can gradually reduce the dosage of their Chinese herbal medicine or the frequency of their acupuncture treatments before stopping their treatments altogether.
Self-Help Techniques
• Ensure that you eat a balanced diet and at regular times.
• Don't rush your food - chew properly and make sure you take your full lunch break.
• Try not to eat in front of your computer as this will encourage you to eat quickly to get back to work. Instead, go to the staff cafeteria with your colleagues or take a packed lunch to a park nearby so that your mind can fully relax.
• Don't eat a heavy meal late at night. If you know you will be working late, make sure you set aside time at work to eat your dinner at the normal time.
• Try not to drink too much when you are having your food as this dilutes acids and digestive enzymes, stopping you from digesting your food effectively.
• If you suffer from abdominal pains after food, try to sip on peppermint or fennel tea to calm your digestion down.
• If your symptoms are stress-related, try to learn stress-management techniques or relax with a gentle swim or classes such as Tai Chi, yoga or meditation. Set aside time during the week to spend some quality time with family or friends so that you can take your mind off things.
• Keep a food diary so that you can recognize any culprits that may be triggering your symptoms - spicy foods such as chilli and curry, deep fried and greasy foods, fatty foods, dairy products, eggs, caffeine, carbonated drinks and alcohol are common foods that can trigger digestive problems.
References
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Bian Z, Wu T, Liu L, Miao J, Wong H, Song L, Sung JJ. Effectiveness of the Chinese herbal formula TongXieYaoFang for irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review. J Altern Complement Med. 2006 May;12(4):401-7. Review.
Chaiyakunapruk N, Kitikannakorn N, Nathisuwan S, Leeprakobboon K, Leelasettagool C. The efficacy of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jan;194(1):95-9. Review.
Ito N, Nagai T, Yabe T, Nunome S, Hanawa T, Yamada H. Antidepressant-like activity of a Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine, Koso-san (Xiang-Su-San), and its mode of action via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Phytomedicine. 2006 Mar 2
Liu JP, Yang M, Liu YX, Wei ML, Grimsgaard S. Herbal medicines for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jan 25;(1):CD004116. Review.
Ohya T, Usui Y, Arii S, Iwai T, Susumu T. Effect of dai-kenchu-to on obstructive bowel disease in children. Am J Chin Med. 2003;31(1):129-35.