IBS/Crohn’s & acupuncture
Crohn disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gastrointestinal system, mainly the distal ileum and colon. The main symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. Over time, abscesses, fistulas, and/or bowel obstruction may develop. This disease is usually diagnosed by colonoscopy [1]. The exact cause of Crohn disease is not known, but it is thought to be a genetic or auto immune disorder.
In Chinese medicine, this disease is mainly categorized by the presenting symptoms. The mechanism behind these symptoms is mainly seen as an accumulation of Dampness and Heat in the Large Intestine [2]. Dampness and Heat are two of the six external causes of disease in Chinese medicine, but can also be developed internally from Liver Qi stagnation (Heat) and Spleen deficiency (Dampness). This accumulation is what causes the symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal pain.
External Dampness and Heat in Chinese medicine are said to come from external factors like damp and hot living environments, or from eating too much of the wrong foods. Some examples of foods that can cause Dampness and Heat if eaten in excess as listed below:
Dampness: Dairy, Sugar, Glutenous grains (e.g. wheat), Greasy, fatty foods
Heat: Hot food (BBQ), Spicy food (black pepper, cayenne pepper, etc.), Alcohol, Fried foods, Red meat (beef, lamb)
Dampness may also arise from a Spleen deficiency, which affects proper digestion. This is usually caused by over eating sweet sugary foods, and uncooked or chilled foods. Other things that can negatively affect digestion are overthinking, worry and anxiety. Not enough exercise or prolonged use of antibiotics also can affect the Spleen, and thus, digestion [2].
Heat can also arise internally due to repressed emotions, unfulfilled desires, and other things that cause frustration and anger. This causes Qi (energy) to stagnate, and stagnation causes Heat to develop [2].
Acupuncture can help treat inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn disease. In a 2014 study, 74% of those in the acupuncture group were in remission after 12 weeks (3 treatments per week) of treatment [3]. Acupuncture, combined with western medical treatments can increase the length of time a patient experiences remission (lack of symptoms) and also reduced inflammatory markers in the blood [4].
References
1. Walfish, A. E., & Companioni, R. A. C. (2023, October 16). Crohn disease - gastrointestinal
disorders. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/
professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/crohn-disease?
query=crohn+disease+cause
2. Flaws, B., & Sionneau, P. (2007). The treatment of modern Western medical diseases with
Chinese medicine: A textbook & clinical manual. Blue Poppy Press.
3. Bao, C.-H. (2014). Randomized controlled trial: Moxibustion and acupuncture for the
treatment of crohn’s disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(31), 11000–11011.
https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.11000
4. Wang, Y., Li, M., & Zha, A.-S. (2019). Adjuvant treatment of crohn’s disease with traditional
Chinese medicine: A meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative
Medicine, 2019, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6710451
