Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Acupuncture and Chinese medicine Torquay
IBS: A Holistic Understanding
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, at times debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It has no diagnosed cause but with symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhoea/constipation, irregular bowel pattern, bloating, and associated symptoms such as anxiety & depression IBS has a significant impact of health and quality of life.
There’s growing awareness around the relationship between the mind and gut, and how stress impacts on IBS, and can be a major trigger for IBS episodes.
Stress and IBS
The gut-brain axis is a network that allows constant communication between the gut and brain, and is made possible by the activity of the nervous system, immune signaling pathways, and the central nervous system.
When the nervous system’s sympathetic (fight or flight) response is activated due to stress, hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released to enable the body to get away from danger. It’s a survival instinct hardwired into our nervous system that has served a great evolutionary purpose, but out of balance these hormones can interfere with the parasympathetic (rest and digest) phase of the nervous system which promotes better digestive function, hormonal and reproductive health.
With chronic stress this can affect the gut in several ways:
Gut Sensitivity: Stress can increase gut sensitivity, meaning you can feel more aware of sensation in the gut-like bloating or cramping.
Gut Motility: Stress can affect peristalsis-the automatic contraction and movement of the intestines that enables food to move through the gut-either slowing or speeding it up which can cause diarrhoea or constipation, and also affect nutrient and fluid absorption.
Gut Microbiome: stress can affect the balance of gut bacteria, known as the gut microbiome, which is critical for gut health and optimal digestion.
Inflammation: chronic stress may affect the gut, contributing to low-grade inflammation and making IBS symptoms worse.
TCM and the gut
Chinese medicine has traditionally been used for things like constipation, bloating and diarrhoea for thousands of years.
From a chinese medicine perspective all the organs of the gut-the liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, intestines are all associated with different mental and emotional states (anger, worry, fear etc) and it has always maintained that stress, unprocessed or repressed emotion will affect our physical health-and the gut.
The therapies that have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to improve gut health such as herbal medicine, dietary changes, and acupuncture all focus on regulating emotions and stress as part of the treatment.
A holistic view of the body means that health is determined at all times by physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. If our physical health is affected, then chances are our emotional and mental wellbeing will be as well-particularly over time.
Stress management techniques
Mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation may help some clients to calm the mind and ease tension, regulate the nervous system and reduce the effects of stress on the body.
Breathing Exercises: diaphragmatic breathing may help some clients regulate their nervous system and ease abdominal discomfort.
Sleep: insomnia or lack of sleep can impact on stress and nervous system health, and so IBS. Aim for a regular sleep schedule of 7-9 hours per night and try to get to bed by 10pm at the latest.
Exercise: regular exercise has benefits on circulation, reducing stress and is an important part of approaching health from a holistic perspective
Counselling or emotional support: therapy can be a great part of a treatment plan to help manage IBS as it supports stress management & emotional wellbeing.
Dietary changes
While there are limited studies on chinese medicine dietary therapy there are a number of dietary changes that have been traditionally used in chinese medicine for thousands of years that may be beneficial for some clients looking to improve their gut health.
Warm, well-cooked food: from a chinese medicine perspective when your body and gut is stressed, aim to eat food that is as easy to digest as possible. Think bone broth, congee, soup or similar foods.
Avoid processed foods: refined and processed foods, sugars, flours, soft drinks and fruit juices are traditionally avoided.
Listen to your body: every body is different. A food diary can be a great way to bring awareness to what foods/and or stresses can contribute to an IBS and have a period of time where you reduce these triggers to allow the gut to repair.
Holistic management
IBS is a complex pattern that to date has no diagnosable cause, although it does seem to indicate some dysfunction in the gut-brain axis. A holistic approach that factors in stress management, dietary therapy, lifestyle adjustments such as mindfulness and exercise can offer a supportive solution to clients looking to improve their long-term health and wellbeing.
Peter is an AHPRA registered acupuncturist and chinese medicine practitioner in Torquay, Victoria.
Peter loves supporting clients make sustainable, holistic lifestyle change so they can be at their best.
