ACUPUNCTURE IN CROHN’S & ULCERATIVE COLITIS (IBD)
ACUPUNCTURE IN CROHN’S & ULCERATIVE COLITIS (IBD)
Check out this excellent summary from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s website of an article in the journal IBD regarding the potential role that acupuncture may have as a complementary treatment for inflammatory bowel disease:
“Increased intestinal sensitivity leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea, as well as delayed bowel movement (gastrointestinal dysmotility) are common among IBD patients. Some studies evaluated stimulation of specific acupoints and reported that these symptoms can be improved by acupuncture. Through both clinical trials and analysis of the published literature, moxibustion was found beneficial for improvement of abdominal pain and diarrhea in patients with intestinal sensitivity.”
“Improvement of symptoms and psychological health are two connected parameters of the quality of life for IBD patients. In improving psychological health, analysis of the outcomes from 207 clinical trials of acupuncture for treatment of depression showed that acupuncture had effects similar to those of antidepressants. While showing promising beneficial effects of acupuncture for improving GI symptoms and psychological health, these studies were not performed in IBD models or in IBD patients; thus more research of this topic is needed.
In conclusion, acupuncture could serve as a safe, cost-effective, noninvasive, and widely available non-pharmacological option as adjunctive therapy for managing disease activity and reducing symptoms in IBD. Further studies are needed to better define the benefit of acupuncture in IBD patients and in IBD-relevant animal models, and to design standardized methodology for designing research and clinical studies on acupuncture and for its application in practical IBD clinical care.”
Clearly there is much more still to learn and clarify before this is advocated in routine clinical practice, but I am so heartened by the increasing attention on non-pharmaceutical interventions to help treat IBD.
Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health was created exactly for the purpose of PROVIDING HOLISTIC CARE for patients with IBD. We combine:
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- A community gastroenterologist with significant IBD experience and expertise who LISTENS to a patient’s concerns and preferences and is open minded regarding all facets of treatment options
- A registered dietitian to address the complex nutritional needs of IBD patients
- A behavioral coach/counselor to help with coping skills, stress management, and techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy for the frequently superimposed functional or IBS component of symptoms
- A nurse practitioner who is easily accessible for prompt communication and rapid appointment availability (as well as two wonderful nurses to help out!)
Please call 224.407.4400 to schedule a consultation or visit compgihealth.com to learn more about what our team can offer you.