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IBS is described as a 'functional' illness --
the small and large intestines are not functioning
appropriately although there is no structural
damage found through diagnostic testing. No anatomic
defect can be found in IBS patients, and the cause
of the illness is not known. What is known is
that there is a link between the onset of symptoms
and emotional triggers. There are two major clinical
types of IBS described in Western medicine: diarrhea-predominant
IBS and constipation-predominant IBS. Diarrhea-predominant
IBS is characterized by diarrhea, which occurs
immediately after waking up or immediately after
eating. Other common symptoms include pain, bloating,
urgency, and urinary incontinence. Constipation-predominant
(or 'spastic colon' type) IBS manifests with pain
over at least one area of the colon and periodic
constipation. This pain may be continuous or it
may come in bouts, and is frequently relieved
by moving the bowels. There may be constipation
alternating with normal stools or constipation
alternating with diarrhea. The stool often contains
mucus. Associated symptoms include bloating, gas,
nausea and dyspepsia. Eating can commonly trigger
these symptoms. Western medicine treats IBS with
anti-spasmodic or anti-diarrhea medication, diet
modification and stress reduction techniques.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine? Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic medical system
which combines the use of acupuncture, Chinese
herbs, nutrition, massage, and movement exercises
(known as Tai Chi or Qi Gong) to bring the body
into balance. Whereas Western medicine looks closely
at a symptom and tries to find an underlying cause,
TCM looks at the body as a whole. Each symptom
is looked at in relationship to all other presenting
symptoms. The goal of the TCM practitioner is
to assess the entire constitution of the patient
-- considering both physiological and psychological
aspects. The practitioner first observes the general
characteristics of the patient, and then tries
to discern a relationship between symptoms in
order to establish what is called a "pattern
of disharmony." Treatment is aimed at restoring
harmony and bringing the body into balance. The
fundamental TCM theory used to determine the pattern
of disharmony is the theory of "Yin and Yang."
Yin and Yang are terms used to describe two polar
opposites. Each body part, each organ, and even
each symptom in the body can be described in terms
of Yin and Yang. Levels of Yin and Yang are constantly
changing in the body and there are four possible
states of imbalance:
Excess of Yin
Excess of Yang
Deficiency of Yin
Deficiency of Yang
It is rare for one of these states of imbalance
to exist by itself. Excesses and deficiencies
of Yin and Yang almost always appear in combination.
For example, in IBS, the symptom of loose stools
shows an excess of yin, but if the patient feels
a burning sensation along with the loose stools,
this indicates an additional excess of yang. In
treating the overall pattern of disharmony, the
TCM practitioner uses acupuncture and Chinese
herbs to address all imbalances of yin and yang.
To look at the body as an integrated whole, one
also looks at the theory of the 'Internal Organs.'
The TCM definition of an Internal Organ is very
different from the Western concept. In Western
medicine, an organ is a material-anatomical structure.
In Chinese medicine, each Internal Organ encompasses
much more. There can be an anatomical structure,
but there is also a corresponding emotion, tissue,
sensory organ, color, and element. In addition,
twelve of the Internal Organs correspond to the
twelve main acupuncture meridians (or channels)
that run through the body. There is qi (or energy)
flowing through each meridian. If an Internal
Organ is out of balance, the qi of that organ
will be damaged. Therefore, the Chinese Large
Intestine (which is capitalized to distinguish
it as the Chinese organ) should not be equated
with the Western organ. IBS affects the large
and small intestines in Western medicine, but
in Chinese medicine, the Spleen, Liver, Kidney,
and Large Intestine can all play a role in the
pattern of disharmony.
Research on IBS & Chinese Herbs
An Australian study published in 1998 in the
Journal of the American Medical Association lends
strong scientific support to treating IBS with
Chinese herbs. In this double-blind study, 116
patients with IBS were divided into three groups.
One group was given a standard Chinese herbal
preparation, a second group was given customized
herbal formulas (individually written for each
patient), and a third group was given a placebo.
Each patient had regular consultations with both
a Chinese herbal-medicine practitioner and a gastroenterologist.
Both groups taking the Chinese herbs showed significant
improvement over the patients taking the placebo.
Positive results were reported by both the patients
themselves and the gastroenterologists. Although
there was improvement in both groups of patients
taking herbs, it is important to note that the
positive effects were shown to last longer in
the group that was given individualized formulas.
Only these patients had maintained improvement
on a follow-up consultation 14 weeks after completing
the treatment. This study clearly shows that Chinese
herbalism is most effective when each patient
is treated not only for their condition, but also
for their bodily constitution and other presenting
symptoms. According to the principles of Chinese
medicine, each patient must be treated as an individual.
Optimal results will be obtained with both herbs
and acupuncture when specific treatments are customized
for each patient.
Look for an acupuncturist with formal training
and experience in the treatment of gastrointestinal
disease. About Lisa
Ma
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