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Sandra Kim Leong
Sandra Kim Leong provides free research and special reports in her newsletter on
Detox Diet.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has also been used as an alternative method in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Because TCM is a holistic approach, the method of treatment is aimed at restoring the balance in your body system. When you experience symptoms such as indigestion, diarrhea, constipation or other signs of IBS, it is indicative of an imbalance that needs to be corrected. There are several principles underlying TCM; including yin-yang, the Five Phases, the energy meridian, Zang Fu organ theory and several others. It is a complex study on a mind-body-spirit approach.
One of the most common methods is the use of several types of herbs to restore balance. Each herb is carefully selected in combination with others to relieve not only the symptoms but the root cause of the health issues. For instance, it may be determined that you have a "weak" liver, due to your IBS symptoms. Herbs are chosen to help cleanse and rejuvenate this vital organ.
A practitioner specializing in traditional Chinese Medicine will also have knowledge of what herbal remedies will cause worsened or heightened symptoms if not mixed properly. Therefore they have to be very knowledgeable at their practice.
Acupuncture is another form of traditional Chinese treatment that is used to treat IBS. Increasingly, this method is also used in the Western world. It involves the use of tiny needles inserted at various energy meridian points in your body that is deemed to be blocked. Releasing the blockage improves the energy flow and helps to treat IBS.
A TCM diagnosis for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is noticing other symptoms in the body that are related to IBS. For example, if you have a coating over your tongue, it may be directly related to your IBS due to too much heat being produced in your body. However, if you suffer from other signs of IBS, they may be related to a different cause of your IBS.
It is important to find a TCM practitioner who is highly experienced and skilled. Ask for recommendations from friends or your own health care provider. The extra effort that you take in finding an appropriate one is worth it as IBS is not easy to treat and you would want to be under the care of a good practitioner.
Published by Sandra Kim Leong on July 19, 2008 04:08 AM
