A 35-year-old man came to our clinic complaining of chronic constipation, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), abdominal pain, and bloating. He was also recently diagnosed with SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) and took a round of antibiotics without any improvement. This IBS case report describes how acupuncture relieved his IBS and eased his constipation.
What Is IBS-C?
IBS is a chronic digestive disorder causing abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel dysfunction. Approximately 15% of Americans struggle with IBS at some point in their lives. IBS-C is a form of IBS where abdominal pain or bloating combines with constipation. Constipation is when you have less than three bowel movements a week, and stools are hard and difficult to pass. While the Western medical establishment has not figured out how to treat IBS, Chinese medicine has effectively resolved these symptoms for millennia.
What Is SIBO?
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when the wrong type of bacteria starts accumulating in the small intestine. Specifically, bacteria that work perfectly well in other areas of the digestive tract cause significant problems when they gather in places they are not supposed to be – in this case, in the small intestine. SIBO triggers include surgery or disease that slow the passage of food and waste products in the digestive tract, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. SIBO symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and gas.
IBS Case Report
Our patient had been struggling with IBS for the past seven years. His condition worsened with stress and always gave him more trouble after meals. Miralax no longer helped with his bowel movements, and he relied on Docolax (bowel stimulator) twice a week. The SIBO diagnosis was a surprise, and he was optimistic that this might take care of his problems. But the very expensive antibiotic failed to improve his condition. That’s when he decided to try acupuncture.
IBS Chinese Medicine Diagnosis
We conducted an intake exam, asking questions about his digestion, bowel function, sleep, and mood. His tongue was red with a greasy, yellow coating and his pulse was rapid and wiry. Based on this information, we determined his Chinese medicine diagnosis to be Liver Fire coupled with Spleen Qi deficiency. His treatment protocol included clearing Liver Fire to reduce internal heat, coursing Liver Qi to improve Qi circulation in the body, and strengthening Spleen Qi to improve digestion and bowel function.
Treating at the Root Level
Acupuncture always treats health conditions at the root level. So treatment for our patient in this IBS case report focused on resolving the internal heat (the root of constipation) and liver/spleen imbalance (the source of abdominal pain and bloating). Acupoints included: ST36, ST37, ST25, LV2, LV3, LI11, GV14, BL18, BL20, and BL25.
After four weekly sessions, our patient reported a 40 percent decrease in pain, bloating, and constipation. This positive response indicated that his body was responding well and would, in all likelihood, continue to heal further. Following his eighth treatment, he was 70 percent better and reported a 90 percent improvement following his 12th visit. At this point, he went on monthly maintenance, which he felt kept him in fighting form with almost no symptoms.
Typical Results for Treating IBS
Our patient was surprised and pleased with the results. He had been a bit skeptical initially, knowing how severe his condition was and not having any luck with other modalities. On top of that, the SIBO diagnosis made him despair even more. Yet, acupuncture resolved the majority of his symptoms despite the diagnosis.
We often joke that Western medicine excels at creating detailed diagnoses for all types of medical conditions but can cure few of them. Alternatively, Chinese medicine’s diagnoses are less specific, yet acupuncture relieves and resolves the vast majority of health conditions.
The Challenge of Treating Constipation
Anyone with chronic constipation knows that it is a challenging condition to treat. Most Americans use Miralax, an osmotic-type laxative, to soften their stools. When that fails to work, they escalate to a stimulant laxative like Dulcolax, which increases movement in the intestines. Unfortunately, both medications fail to address the underlying causes of constipation.
Acupuncture, on the other hand, resolves the underlying imbalances responsible for constipation. Admittedly, it’s not an easy fix, as the disharmonies are usually deep-rooted. But acupuncture consistently improves and sometimes resolves chronic constipation by clearing internal heat, improving Qi circulation in the digestive tract, and strengthening the stomach and intestines.
Next Steps
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Additional IBS Resources
First IBS Acupuncture Research Study.
Second IBS Acupuncture Research Study.
Video Describing How We Treat IBS.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
Focus Keyphrase: IBS Case Report
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What our Clients are Saying
I had a severe stomach flu six months ago with high fever for three days. Afterwards I had terrible constipation. I tried laxatives, but they only gave temporary relief. The pain was so bad that I started missing work. My wife’s sister had been to Raleigh Acupuncture for migraines and was very satisfied, and she suggested I call to see if they treat constipation. Not only were they able to treat me, they totally cleared up my condition in just two weeks. I am 100% better!
My IBS triggered diarrhea every day, all day long, but especially in the mornings. It would be triggered by the foods I ate, stress at work, or nothing at all. I was getting to the point where I was going to give up my job and try to find a job where I could work out of the house. As a last resort I went to Raleigh Acupuncture. I started seeing changes right away, less attacks in the morning, less triggers during the day. Over the duration of my treatments it seemed like my intestines were getting stronger and less sensitive. After about a month of treatment I was just having problems in the morning, going about three times. After about another month I was having normal bowel movements just once in the morning. As far as I can tell, my IBS is completely healed.
I’ve lived with chronic constipation my whole life. I averaged once every five days or so, and that was normal. As a result, I always felt bottled up. My brother convinced me to try acupuncture, as it helped him with his constipation. The doctor gave me pills which he said were all natural and had been around for thousands of years. He also did acupuncture. After about half a dozen treatments I was going to the bathroom every other day. It’s been a year since my treatments ended and I’m still regular. I feel great.
My husband Arthur and I have used Raleigh Acupuncture bi-weekly for at least 4 years, for a variety of treatments, including general well-being. Both of us felt our ailments healed with the treatment. I initially visited for Irritable Bowel Syndrome – and had immediate relief… the practitioners are very professional and learned, and we have every confidence in them. Even though we pay out of pocket, we obviously feel that the acupuncture is worth it. We both highly recommend Raleigh Acupuncture – you won’t regret it!
I have always had a nervous stomach. Some people get headaches, I get stomach aches. It’s always worse with stress and eases up on the weekends when I can relax. I did not think of getting treatment until I stumbled on an article saying how acupuncture was excellent for treating stomach pain. I went to Raleigh Acupuncture and described my condition. They explained why my stomach hurt. It totally made sense to me. It’s all about internal balance. So they went to work on me to get my stomach balanced. And I’m pleased to say that it worked. I no longer have a nervous stomach and stomach pain, even in stressful situations. I’ve made some changes to my diet, based on their recommendations, and took chinese herbs for a while, but don’t need to take them now. I’m convinced that I would have lived with stomach pain for the rest of my life had it not been for acupuncture.
I’m totally afraid of needles, but my wife convinced me to try acupuncture for my IBS. It was really hampering my life. I’d have to go to the bathroom 5 times before leaving for work. Then at work I’d be sitting in a meeting and all of a sudden have to go again. Any type of stress set me off. At first they could only use 2 needles, that’s all I would let them do. But after a few treatments I started relaxing and felt more comfortable with the needles. The effect has been amazing. I’m so much better now. Mornings are easy, no problems at work. It’s hard to believe, because I’ve had this for my entire adult life. Now I just go in for maintenance and have some herbs I take when I need them. Raleigh Acupuncture is a great outfit.