Acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

In some studies acupuncture seems to work better than placebo in irritable bowel syndrome; yet, in others, acupuncture seems to work no better than sham versions of acupuncture or placebo. In the experience of the current author, acupuncture has been effective—both for symptomatic relief and for prevention of recurrences, if points are carefully chosen according to the presenting symptoms and the patterns of Disharmony.

Objective:

The aim of this case study is to describe the development of a system of point selection, for both symptom reduction and correction of Disharmonies that originally lead to the development of IBS.

Cases:

Three cases are described. These were females (ages 49, 78, and 74). Each patient was examined individually to determine her pattern of Disharmony and the relevant points were treated. Chong Mai was used in all of these cases. This meridian was chosen because of its regulatory effects on all symptoms of IBS and related Disharmonies. Other points were then added as required.

Results:

Acupuncture provided significant relief in all three cases during the initial treatment period of 8 weeks; but it was necessary for the patients to have additional treatments periodically to maintain their relief from IBS symptoms. The third patient had a poor prognosis with respect to obtaining complete relief, because of the long duration of her constipation.

Conclusions:

While the available evidence for the beneficial effects of acupuncture in IBS is equivocal, in the author's experience, stimulating Chong Mai and points according to the presenting symptoms and Disharmony patterns, demonstrated empirically that acupuncture can be used with success in most cases.