Alternative And Complementary Treatments For Ibs - Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Digestive Disorders

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Alternative and complementary treatments for IBS

IBS patients frequently turn to herbal remedies and other alternative or complementary therapies, as well as to behavioral techniques and psychotherapy. Research shows that some patients experience improvement through any of several stress-reduction techniques taught by psychologists or other medical professionals. Evidence is lacking for any of the herbal therapies. Popular alternative approaches include these:

Relaxation response training and meditation. Simple and easy to learn, this technique helps reduce nervous system activity and relaxes muscles. Therapies that induce a similar response include progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, hypnosis, and even biofeedback (below).

Yoga. Some forms of yoga, the ancient Indian discipline that seeks to bring body and mind into balance, have proved valuable to some IBS sufferers. Yoga, like meditation, can provide a form of self-relaxation.

Hypnosis. Researchers theorize that this mind-relaxation technique calms the autonomic nervous system and might contribute to the improvement in symptoms.

Acupuncture. This system of applying small needles to prescribed points on the body was found to improve symptoms in one study of 27 patients who received acupuncture treatments three times per week for two weeks.

Biofeedback. Biofeedback is a mind/body technique in which participants use a biofeedback machine to see and learn to control their body's response to stimuli such as pain. Some patients who periodically lose control of their bowels, for example, have been able to improve their control using biofeedback techniques.

Probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria taken in capsule or powder form (or in yogurt). They may help with intestinal troubles by restoring the balance of bacteria in the intestine, and possibly by affecting the immune system. A number of small studies, as well as anecdotal reports, suggest that probiotics improve IBS symptoms for some people. However, data on their safety and effectiveness are limited. You can find probiotic supplements in grocery stores, health food stores and pharmacies, and through Web sites. Consult your doctor before trying one.

Herbal remedies. A growing number of people turn to herbal remedies for the relief of IBS symptoms, including St. John's wort, fish oils, flaxseed oil, aloe vera juice, chamomile tea, and a variety of Chinese herbs. However, there are few studies to support their safety and effectiveness.

Last updated:	August 21, 2007