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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Basics

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large bowel, leading to a range of symptoms, including constipation, diarrhea, irregular bowel movements, mucus in the stool, abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating. Various factors can contribute to the dysfunction of the bowel, such as celiac disease (which hinders proper gluten digestion), a sensitive large intestine, and infections.

Diagnostic Patterns

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the treatment of IBS is tailored to the individual's specific diagnosis or pattern rather than treating the condition generically. The following patterns are commonly identified as contributing factors to IBS: Kidney Yang Deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation, and Spleen Qi Deficiency.Commonly used acupuncture points include: L4 Hegu, LV3 Taichong, ST25 Tianshu, and ST36 Zusanli. Typical formulas for treatment may include Si Jun Zi Tang Wan, Wu Mei Wan, and Huang Lian Jie Du Wan.

One high-quality randomized controlled trial found that acupuncture was superior to usual care in reducing IBS symptom severity scores at 6, 9, and 12 months (MacPherson 2016).