Two IBS research studies from 2018 conclude that acupuncture and herbs relieve IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). These independent studies featured an integrative approach to patient care.
The first of the IBS research studies, conducted at the Hospital of Jiangsu Business College, found that combining Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and moxibustion was more effective than standard care (montmorillonite ) for treating pain, bloating, and regulating the daily number of bowel movements. [1]
The second of the IBS research studies, conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanhua University, determined that a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and probiotics performed better than any of these therapies alone. [2]
The results of these two IBS research studies indicate that an integrative approach to patient care will improve patient outcomes.
IBS Study #1 Details
All participants were diagnosed with IBS based on the Rome III diagnostic criteria, as well as a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnosis of liver stagnation and spleen qi deficiency. In addition, investigators required patients to have at least two of the following symptoms: irritability, frequent sighing, abdominal pain relieved by diarrhea, stomach pain, a wiry or fine pulse, and a thin, white tongue coating. Furthermore, they were required to show at least one of these secondary symptoms: indigestion, poor appetite, loose or sticky stools, and weak, fatigued limbs.
Researchers randomly assigned 120 participants to the control group (medications) or the observation group (Chinese medicine). The control group had 24 male and 36 female participants, with a mean age of 20.7 years and a mean disease duration of 1.1 months. The observation group had 23 male and 37 female participants, with a mean age of 20.5 years and a mean duration of illness of 1.3 months. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the two groups at the beginning of the study.
IBS Treatment Protocols
The control group received one dose of montmorillonite clay daily for four weeks. Alternatively, the observation group received herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Acupuncturists prescribed the herbal formula Shu Gan Yun Pi Tang, made from the following herbs:
Jiao Yi Ren 30g
Yun Ling 20g
Shao Bai Zhu 15g
Zhi Xiang Fu 10g
Yu Jin 10g
Chun Chai Hu 10g
Shao Bai Shao 10g
Gu Ya 10g
Mai Ya 10g
Guang Chen Pi 6g
Gan Cao 6g
Participants mixed the powdered herbs with warm water and drank the tea twice daily. In addition, they received acupuncture treatments with the following acupoints:
Taichong (LV3)
Xingjian (LV2)
Ganshu (BL18)
Pishu (BL20)
Zhongwan (CV12)
Zusanli (ST36)
Tianshu (ST25)
Shangjuxu (ST37)
All needles were sterile and single-use. Upon insertion, practitioners elicited a deqi (achy) sensation at the site of the needle and then retained the points for 40 minutes. In addition, they applied moxibustion (heat) therapy for 20 minutes. Patients received treatment every day, five days a week, for four weeks.
IBS Study #1 Outcomes
Investigators assessed symptoms including stomach pain, bloating, and bowel movement frequency before and after treatment, scoring each symptom from 0–3, with zero being all better and three being severe.
In the medication control group, stomach pain fell from 2.9 to 1.4, bloating fell from 3.5 to 1.9, and bowel movements decreased from 3.5 to 2.5. By comparison, the TCM observation group had more significant improvements, with stomach pain falling from a mean of 2.8 to 1.0, bloating from 3.5 to 1.5, and number of bowel movements from 3.2 to 1.3.
Investigators classified patients into one of four groups – cured, significantly effective, effective, and ineffective.
- Cured: Participants in the cured group showed a complete resolution of stomach pain and bloating and had their bowel movements reduced to once daily.
- Significantly effective: Participants in this group showed clear improvements in symptoms and had their bowel movements reduced to 2–3 times daily.
- Effective: Participants in the effective group showed some improvements in symptoms and had their bowel movements reduced to 4–5 times daily.
- Ineffective: Participants in the ineffective group showed no improvement in symptoms and were having six or more bowel movements daily.
Study #1 Results
In the control group, there were 15 cured cases, 12 markedly effective cases, 17 effective cases, and 18 ineffective cases, producing a total effective rate of 73.3%. By comparison, the observation group had 18 cured cases, 18 markedly effective cases, 18 effective cases, and six ineffective cases, producing a total effective rate of 90.0%. These results clearly demonstrate acupuncture’s superiority to standard Western care.
IBS Study #2 Details
The investigators of Study #2 assigned participants to one of four groups:
- Probiotics
- Chinese herbal plasters (topical)
- Acupuncture
- Combined therapy (probiotics, herbs, and acupuncture)
IBS Probiotics Treatment
The probiotics group consisted of 29 male and 34 female participants with a mean age of 43. In addition, the average duration of IBS symptoms was 4.3 years, with an average of 4.0 bowel movements daily.
Participants assigned to the probiotics group received an oral bifidobacterium supplement. They took 1.5 mg of the supplement three times a day after meals with warm water or milk for four weeks.
IBS Herbal Plasters Group
The herbal application group had 30 male and 33 female participants with a mean age of 42. In this group, the average duration of IBS symptoms was 4.1 years, with an average of 4.3 bowel movements daily.
Practitioners ground down the following herbs to a powder to form a medicated plaster:
- Bai Jie Zi
- Xi Xin
- Gan Sui
- Yan Hu Suo
- Rou Gui
They then applied the herbal plaster to the following acupoints:
- Pishu (BL20)
- Dachangshu (BL25)
- Shenshu (BL23)
- Shenque (CV8)
- Zusanli (ST36)
Practitioners applied the initial medicated plasters at the beginning of the study and once every ten days after that. Additionally, the herbal poultices remained in place for 4–6 hours, depending on a patient’s condition. Patients received a total of three applications over a month.
IBS Acupuncture Group
The acupuncture group consisted of 27 male and 36 female participants with a mean age of 43. Furthermore, the average duration of IBS symptoms was 4.3 years, with an average of 4 bowel movements per day.
Practitioners administered acupuncture treatment at the following acupoints:
- Shenque (CV8)
- Tianshu (ST25)
- Shangjuxu (ST37)
- Guanyuan (CV4)
- Zhongwan (CV12)
- Zusanli (ST36)
They retained needles for 30 minutes and provided treatment once a day. Seven days of treatments made up one course of care, and practitioners administered a total of three courses with a 2–3 day rest period between courses.
IBS Combined Group
The combined group included 31 male and 32 female participants with a mean age of 43. The average duration of IBS symptoms was four years, with an average of 4 bowel movements daily.
As detailed above, practitioners treated the participants in the combined therapy group with probiotics (bifidobacterium), herbal acupoint applications, and acupuncture.
Study #2 Results
Investigators utilized two biomarkers to measure patient improvement through a fasting blood test before and after the treatment. The two biomarkers included:
- Somatostatin is a hormone inhibiting gastric secretion and somatotropin.
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a hormone in the intestine that relaxes smooth muscles of the stomach and gallbladder.
All groups showed reductions in these markers following treatment, with mean somatostatin levels falling from 49 pg/mL to 40 pg/mL in the probiotics group, 49 pg/mL to 39 pg/mL in the herbal application group, and 49 to 39 in the acupuncture group. However, investigators documented the most significant reductions in the combined group, with mean somatostatin levels falling from 49 pg/mL to 32 pg/mL.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide levels fell from 70 pg/mL to 59 pg/mL in the probiotics group, 70 pg/mL to 59 pg/mL in the herbal application group, and 70 pg/mL to 60 pg/mL in the acupuncture group. Once again, investigators found the most significant reductions in the combined group, with mean vasoactive intestinal peptide levels falling from 70 pg/mL to 46 pg/mL.
IBS Symptoms Reduction
Researchers assessed clinical symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea before and after treatment, with each symptom scored on a scale of 0–4, where zero represented a complete resolution of symptoms.
- For abdominal pain, mean symptom scores fell from 2.00 to 0.93 in the probiotics group, 2.03 to 0.90 in the herbal application group, 2.10 to 0.95 in the acupuncture group, and 2.08 to 0.48 in the combined group.
- For bloating, mean symptom scores fell from 2.10 to 0.71, 2.17 to 0.75, 2.19 to 0.70, and 2.14 to 0.42 in the four groups, respectively.
- For diarrhea, mean symptoms scores fell from 2.68 to 1.23, 2.65 to 1.20, 2.72 to 1.26, and 2.74 to 0.76, respectively.
Investigators documented more significant improvements for participants in the combined group across all symptoms.
IBS Research Studies – Conclusions
The outcomes of these two IBS research studies indicate that herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion offer effective relief from the symptoms of IBS. Likewise, we have experienced similar outcomes at Raleigh Acupuncture over nearly two decades of treating patients with IBS.
Next Steps
BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
Additional IBS Resources
Video Describing Our IBS Treatment.
References for IBS Research Studies
[1] Yan Xiaoxia (2018) “Clinical efficacy of bifidobacterium capsules, acupoint application and acupuncture combined with moxibustion for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome” Inner Mongolia Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Vol.37(8) pp.65-67.
[2] Xie Shujun (2018) “Study on the Effect of Shugan Yunpi Decoction and Acupuncture Therapy in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome of Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency” Contemporary Medical Symposium Vol.16(15) pp.177-179.
Focus Keyphrase: IBS Research Studies
Photo by Kampus Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-ethnic-female-student-doing-assignment-with-tutor-in-university-5940706/
What our Clients are Saying
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.
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.