ch worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the Spleen is weak and the Liver is not moving smoothly, the Liver overacts on the Spleen and can manifest as symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A Liver/Spleen disharmony is similar to the short-term loss of appetite or bout of diarrhea that occurs during an occasional emotional upset. However, with IBS, the phenomenon occurs in slow motion; the emotional trauma or stress takes place over a long period of time, and the digestive symptoms of IBS can l

Many sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) feel like they have tried everything to relieve their symptoms, to no avail. However, an increasing number of studies have been conducted on treating IBS with acupuncture and Chinese medicine with promising results. These studies have documented that Chinese medicine effectively treated IBS safely and without the use of drugs.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is also known as Spastic Colon or Mucus Colitis. It’s called a syndrome because it involves a group of symptoms that vary for each person affected. IBS involves abnormal movement of the small and large intestines, and symptoms may include abdominal cramping and pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, often in alternating episodes. IBS is commonly accompanied by other gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, bloating and nausea. The symptoms of IBS are usually aggravated by stress, but may also be aggravated by eating, and are frequently relieved after a bowel movement. An estimated 10-20% of all Americans are affected by the symptoms of IBS, and three times as many women are affected than are men.

The cause of IBS is unknown, but it is known what does not cause IBS. IBS is not a structural problem, meaning there is no anatomical change, nor is it biochemical or infectious in nature. Researchers are exploring the theory that there are direct links between the brain and the gut, which would explain why many flare-ups are affected by emotional upsets or stress.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, IBS is almost always considered a disharmony between the Liver and the Spleen. The Liver is the organ system responsible for the smooth flow of substances throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of Qi (energy) or blood. The Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (Qi and Blood). The Spleen can be weakened by a number of factors, including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, too much worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the Spleen is weak and the Liver is not moving smoothly, the Liver overacts on the Spleen and can manifest as symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A Liver/Spleen disharmony is similar to the short-term loss of appetite or bout of diarrhea that occurs during an occasional emotional upset. However, with IBS, the phenomenon occurs in slow motion; the emotional trauma or stress takes place over a long period of time, and the digestive symptoms of IBS can la

of symptoms that vary for each person affected. IBS involves abnormal movement of the small and large intestines, and symptoms may include abdominal cramping and pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, often in alternating episodes. IBS is commonly accompanied by other gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, bloating and nausea. The symptoms of IBS are usually aggravated by stress, but may also be aggravated by eating, and are frequently relieved after a bowel movement. An estimated 10-20% of all Americans are affected by the symptoms of IBS, and three times as many women are affected than are men.

The cause of IBS is unknown, but it is known what does not cause IBS. IBS is not a structural problem, meaning there is no anatomical change, nor is it biochemical or infectious in nature. Researchers are exploring the theory that there are direct links between the brain and the gut, which would explain why many flare-ups are affected by emotional upsets or stress.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, IBS is almost always considered a disharmony between the Liver and the Spleen. The Liver is the organ system responsible for the smooth flow of substances throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of Qi (energy) or blood. The Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (Qi and Blood). The Spleen can be weakened by a number of factors, including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, too much worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the Spleen is weak and the Liver is not moving smoothly, the Liver overacts on the Spleen and can manifest as symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A Liver/Spleen disharmony is similar to the short-term loss of appetite or bout of diarrhea that occurs during an occasional emotional upset. However, with IBS, the phenomenon occurs in slow motion; the emotional trauma or stress takes place over a long period of time, and the digestive symptoms of IBS can l

are affected by the symptoms of IBS, and three times as many women are affected than are men.

The cause of IBS is unknown, but it is known what does not cause IBS. IBS is not a structural problem, meaning there is no anatomical change, nor is it biochemical or infectious in nature. Researchers are exploring the theory that there are direct links between the brain and the gut, which would explain why many flare-ups are affected by emotional upsets or stress.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, IBS is almost always considered a disharmony between the Liver and the Spleen. The Liver is the organ system responsible for the smooth flow of substances throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of Qi (energy) or blood. The Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (Qi and Blood). The Spleen can be weakened by a number of factors, including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, too much worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the Spleen is weak and the Liver is not moving smoothly, the Liver overacts on the Spleen and can manifest as symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A Liver/Spleen disharmony is similar to the short-term loss of appetite or bout of diarrhea that occurs during an occasional emotional upset. However, with IBS, the phenomenon occurs in slow motion; the emotional trauma or stress takes place over a long period of time, and the digestive symptoms of IBS can l

BS is almost always considered a disharmony between the Liver and the Spleen. The Liver is the organ system responsible for the smooth flow of substances throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of Qi (energy) or blood. The Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (Qi and Blood). The Spleen can be weakened by a number of factors, including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, too much worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the Spleen is weak and the Liver is not moving smoothly, the Liver overacts on the Spleen and can manifest as symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A Liver/Spleen disharmony is similar to the short-term loss of appetite or bout of diarrhea that occurs during an occasional emotional upset. However, with IBS, the phenomenon occurs in slow motion; the emotional trauma or stress takes place over a long period of time, and the digestive symptoms of IBS can l

ch worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the Spleen is weak and the Liver is not moving smoothly, the Liver overacts on the Spleen and can manifest as symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A Liver/Spleen disharmony is similar to the short-term loss of appetite or bout of diarrhea that occurs during an occasional emotional upset. However, with IBS, the phenomenon occurs in slow motion; the emotional trauma or stress takes place over a long period of time, and the digestive symptoms of IBS can last for years.

Acupuncture practitioners have available to them a variety of methods to correct a Liver/Spleen disharmony. Depending on each individual case, they may use acupuncture, Chinese herbs, dietary therapy and lifestyle changes to facilitate healing of this condition.

Some lifestyle modifications that may help alleviate symptoms include:

-Getting enough exercise, which helps relieve stress, moves energy, regulates the bowels and helps alleviate constipation.

-Practicing stress relief measures, such as meditation, visualization, yoga, breathing exercises, or quiet time. Relieving stress is crucial to keeping IBS symptoms under control.

-Dietary changes should be individualized, and should focus on eliminating foods that trigger symptoms and adding adequate fiber to the diet. Soluble fiber is gentler on the GI tract, and includes foods such as oatmeal, berries, and legumes like lentils and split peas. Crude fiber, such as oat bran and raw vegetables and their skins may be too irritating, and should be monitored as a trigger for symptoms. Other foods that are common triggers include greasy or fatty foods, diary products, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate and carbonated drinks.

-Probiotics may be helpful for some IBS sufferers. Probiotics are supplements that replace the good bacteria in the gut necessary for digestion. Yogurt is a good source of beneficial bacteria, and supplements, such as lactobacillus acidophilus can be found in most natural foods stores.

-Getting enough sleep is important for keeping IBS symptoms under control. Stress, which is the most common trigger, is aggravated by lack of sleep. In addition, sleep helps the body heal and regenerate.