The medical profession often finds IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, difficult to treat. Patients may suffer a variety of symptoms and have varying triggers. Medications often used to treat the condition may not provide relief for every patient. Many are finding non-drug therapies, such as acupuncture, don’t come with risky side effects like pharmacological treatment options. It’s considered safe and has demonstrated effectiveness for treating symptoms like intestinal motility and abdominal pain.
How Acupuncture May Relieve IBS Symptoms
Acupuncture proves effective for treating the symptoms of IBS for Seattle patients. In Chinese medicine, irritable bowel syndrome is believed to occur when a stressed liver is overacting on the spleen. This causes stagnation in this region of the abdomen. A healthy liver is necessary for energy to move smoothly through the body and keep all the processes exchanging properly. A weak spleen and pancreas can be disturbed more easily and cause the transfer of food into the body and transportation into the colon to be less effective and smooth.
Acupuncture is a tool used to balance the energy flow. In Chinese medicine, the energy or life force is believed to flow through meridians, or pathways, in the body. Needles inserted at specific points along these meridians help re-balance the natural flow of energy in the body and relieve symptoms of IBS for Seattle patients.
Research on the Use of Acupuncture to Relieve Symptoms
There have been numerous studies that support acupuncture’s effectiveness at relieving symptoms. They indicate a significant improvement in most patients. When compared to the use of pharmacological treatments, acupuncture demonstrated greater relief of symptoms. IBS patients in Seattle may respond differently to treatments and may want to try various methods to determine which is the best for relieving their symptoms.
