Digestive discomfort that seems to come and go without warning can be frustrating, isolating, and difficult to manage. For many people, this describes life with irritable bowel syndrome – a condition that affects millions but often lacks clear answers. Whether you’re exploring conventional options or looking into holistic approaches like acupuncture for IBS, understanding how this condition is diagnosed and what you can do about it is the first step toward real solutions.
How Is IBS Diagnosed and What Are the Most Common Symptoms?
Because there is no definitive test for IBS, it can be difficult to diagnose, but it is certain that many people suffer from it. The estimates of IBS sufferers vary greatly, with numbers ranging from 5% to 10% of the worldwide population and 25 million to 45 million in the US, with a rough proportion of 1:2 male to female. So, without a specific test, how is IBS diagnosed?
Doctors typically rely on a combination of clinical history, symptom patterns, and diagnostic criteria (such as the Rome IV criteria). These guidelines focus on recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least one day per week in the last three months, associated with changes in stool frequency or form.
To confirm the diagnosis, other gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease must first be ruled out. While the precise cause of IBS remains unclear, researchers have identified several physiological disruptions that may contribute to its onset. These include abnormal gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity (an increased pain response in the digestive tract), alterations in the gut-brain axis, and imbalances in the intestinal microbiota.
In some cases, IBS symptoms may also develop after a severe infection or a period of prolonged stress. The condition is usually categorized into subtypes based on bowel habits: diarrhea-predominant, constipation-predominant, mixed, and unclassified. Common symptoms include bloating, abdominal cramping, gas, and irregular bowel movements.
What Are the Most Common Treatments?
As with most things regarding IBS, there is no consensus on the best treatment, so care is usually tailored to the individual’s symptom pattern and severity. Dietary changes are often the first step. Medications can help manage specific symptoms – antispasmodics for cramping, laxatives for constipation, and anti-diuretics for loose stools.
In certain cases, doctors may prescribe medications that affect serotonin levels in the gut to regulate motility and sensitivity. Because stress and emotional health can significantly influence gut function, psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, gut-directed hypnotherapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction are also frequently used.
However, even with these varied options, many patients find only partial relief and continue to experience flare-ups. This is one reason why a growing number of people are turning to complementary therapies like acupuncture.
Can Acupuncture Help IBS?
Yes, there is medical evidence that indicates that acupuncture for IBS can mitigate many of the symptoms. Clinical studies, systematic reviews, and real-world patient outcomes suggest that acupuncture may help regulate gastrointestinal function, reduce abdominal pain, and improve bowel habits – offering an alternative when conventional treatments fall short.
One meta-analysis that included six randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials found that acupuncture was effective in improving symptoms in both diarrhea-predominant and constipation-predominant IBS. Another clinical study compared acupuncture to two common treatments: polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 and pinaverium bromide.
It found that acupuncture for IBS not only outperformed both but also provided lasting symptom relief for up to 12 weeks after treatment ended. Research has also begun to shed light on why acupuncture may be effective. One study highlighted its impact on the brain-gut connection, an essential factor in IBS, showing that acupuncture can help ease both the physical and psychological symptoms of the condition.
One of the newest systematic reviews of medical literature supports these findings and further suggests that acupuncture and moxibustion have a positive effect on IBS symptoms. These two traditional therapies are frequently combined to enhance each other’s benefits.
While acupuncture uses thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body, moxibustion applies therapeutic heat to the same points by burning mugwort on or near the acupuncture needles. Together, they can amplify the effects of treatment, particularly for digestive issues like IBS.
In general, acupuncture for digestive issues works by helping to regulate gut motility, reduce visceral hypersensitivity (the heightened pain response common in IBS), and support overall autonomic balance. While individual experiences vary, many people report improved bowel regularity, reduced bloating, and less abdominal pain following treatment.
Stress Relief to Help with IBS
Another important component of acupuncture for IBS is how it can help with stress relief. While stress does not cause IBS, stress can trigger IBS or worsen the symptoms. Many people with IBS find that emotional strain, anxiety, or chronic psychological tension can lead to flare-ups or intensify digestive discomfort.
This is largely due to the gut-brain axis – a communication network that links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with intestinal function. In more straightforward terms, when you’re under stress, your body’s natural response can disrupt digestion, increasing gut sensitivity, altering motility, and amplifying pain signals.
Acupuncture for stress may help counteract this by calming the nervous system and rebalancing the body’s physiological state. It’s known to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and supports healthy digestive activity. Acupuncture can also reduce the levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, while encouraging the release of endorphins and serotonin.
This helps lower anxiety levels and, in turn, can also decrease the frequency and severity of IBS flare-ups. For people managing both IBS and ongoing stress, acupuncture often provides dual relief. Many patients report that, over time, regular treatments improve their ability to cope with daily stressors, reduce abdominal discomfort, and feel more in control of their symptoms.
Combining Acupuncture for IBS and Dietary Changes
Acupuncture for IBS can be even more effective when combined with mindful dietary changes. Both approaches are natural, holistic, and aim to restore balance to the body rather than simply suppress symptoms. While acupuncture helps regulate gut function and reduce stress, your diet supports the digestive system by minimizing irritation and promoting a healthy microbiome.
Introducing the following types of food into your daily routine may complement acupuncture treatment:
- Easily digestible vegetables like carrots, spinach, and zucchini
- Low-FODMAP fruits such as bananas, blueberries, and citrus (except grapefruit)
- Lean proteins like chicken, fish, tofu, or eggs
- Whole grains that are gentle on the gut, such as oats, rice, or quinoa
- Fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi (as tolerated) for gut flora support
Keeping a food journal can also help identify individual triggers while working alongside a qualified practitioner to find the most supportive diet for your symptoms.
Start Feeling Better with Acupuncture for IBS
If you’re looking for a natural, non-invasive way to manage IBS, acupuncture offers a promising path forward. It not only targets the physical discomfort but also helps regulate your stress levels – one of the biggest contributors to symptom flare-ups. At BH Acuhealth Clinic, we can tailor acupuncture for IBS treatments to your unique situation.
At our clinic in Beverly Hills, you will be treated by Dr. Mitra Daneshrad, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with over 24 years of experience. Dr. Mitra will do a detailed examination to determine the optimal treatment plan for your specific symptoms and work with your other healthcare providers to find the best solutions.
Book a consultation today to discover how acupuncture for IBS can help you take control of your symptoms and feel more at ease in your body.
