Clinical Information For the Treatment Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Basics
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder characterized by a dysfunctional large bowel. Symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, irregular bowel movements, mucus in the stool, abdominal pain, cramping and bloating. Several factors and conditions can affect the functionality of the bowel, such as celiac disease (a condition that prevents the proper digestion of gluten), sensitive large intestine, or infection.
Below you will find alternative and natural treatment options including those from a Chinese Medicine perspective for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
What Patterns Are Related To Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Diagnostic Patterns
The Chinese Medicine treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) generally involves arriving at the appropriate TCM diagnosis or pattern. This pattern within the individual is what treatment is based on not the general condition (see treating the cause and not the symptoms).
The following patterns may represent the underlying contributing factors for the development of irritable bowel syndrome (ibs):
Kidney Yang DeficiencyLarge Intestine ColdLarge Intestine Damp HeatLarge Intestine DrynessLiver Qi StagnationSpleen Qi DeficiencySpleen Yang DeficiencyRelated Posts From Our Blog
Blog Posts Where Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Is Discussed
The Biochemistry Of How Moxibustion Aids Post-Infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome (PI-IBS)- Warm Moxibustion Found Most Effective for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Study)
- How LI 11 and ST 37 Acupuncture Points Alleviate Constipation
- How Acupuncture Helps With Chemo Induced Nausea and Vomiting (Study)
Blog Posts Concerning Research
- Acupuncture for Spinal Cord Injury
- Pulse Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine - Starting A Modern Scientific Method
- Superficial Japanese Style Needling Compared with TCM Style Electro Acupuncture
- Study Finds Acupuncture Effective for Chronic Tinnitus
- Common Chinese Herbal Formula Effective Against Post-Op Delirium
- Chinese Herbal Medicines - Teas vs. Prepared Pills/Granules - Researchers Say No Clinical Differences
Which Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols Apply To Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols
Tong Ren Therapy is the energy healing/medical qi gong aspect of the Tam Healing System. The areas of focus for irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) that we would use in Tong Ren techniques form the basis for our acupuncture treatments as well. Generally you would mix these primary points with points specific to the patients underlying TCM pattern and then our tuina (medical massage) would be largely focused on these points as well.
The following Tam healing and tong ren therapy protocols may be used with irritable bowel syndrome (ibs):
4 Points Are Empirically Important For Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Formulas and Products @ Our Store Associated With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
The Following (4)Formulas TCM Herbal Formulas May Be Useful For Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Huang Lian Jie Du Wan (Coptis Decoction To Relieve Toxicity)
Clinical Usages
- Clears fire toxins (damp heat, toxic heat, fire) from all three jiaos - formula has an antibiotic function which has a broad range of uses in conditions arising from damp heat in the body. Acute bacterial infections, dystentary, fever (of unknown origin), acute bronchitis, acute conjunctivitis, UTI.
- Hypertension when it arises from fire/toxic heat.
- A range of skin issues - boils, acne, mastitis, pyogenic skin infections, gingivitis.
- Disorders of the middle jiao - hepatitis (particularly acute infectious), jaundice, H-pylori, gastritis.
- Arrest bleeding in reckless bleeding from heat.
- Gu syndrome conditions with the right underyling factors - IBS, Lyme, other inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Generally only used for acute situations, rarely taken for longer than 15-20 days. For longer use watch for signs of damage to the spleen system in TCM terms.
- Avoid in patients with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. G6PD is an inherited condition usually occurring in males, more commonly in those of African and Mediterranean descent. Triggers include infections, stress, fava beans, aspirin, and other drugs. When symptoms are triggered, they include fever, dark urine, abdominal and back pain, fatigue, and pale skin. Most people recover in a few days without treatment, but avoiding relapses is important.
Si Jun Zi Tang Wan (Four Gentlemen Teapills)
Clinical Usages
- General qi tonification formula - weak extremities, lassitude, pale face, poor appetite, loose stools.
- Due to the strenghtening functions can bolster immunity.
- Spleen qi deficiency is the backdrop of many conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, gastritis, IBS, abdominal pain.
- Possibly menstrual issues such as PMS or menorrhagia.
- Chronic hepatitis.
Clinical Categorization
Tong Xie Yao Fang Wan (Important Pills for Painful Diarrhea / Calm Wind Pills)
Clinical Usages
- Diarrhea, particularly with abdominal cramping.
- Diarrhea with alternating constipation.
Clinical Categorization
Wu Mei Wan (Mume Fruit Pill)
Clinical Usages
- Generally used with roundworms - abdominal pain, irritability, stifled chest w/heat, vomiting after eating, cold hands and/or feet.
- Chronic diarrhea, IBS, or other digestive disorders characterized by both heat and cold.
- May be used with diabetes, particularly in cases with corresponding digestive issues.
Clinical Categorization
Where Do I Go Next?
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