Acupuncture for IBS - A Mixed Results Study
Unfortunately, the results were disappointing for the acupuncture world as there was no difference between the true acupuncture and the sham acupuncture on a measure of global symptom improvement. The positive news is that both acupuncture groups did show a small but statistically significant improvement on this scale compared to those on the waiting list.
Who knows what to make of all of this? Obviously more research needs to be done before any strong conclusions can be drawn about acupuncture for IBS. It may be that more treatment sessions are needed to see benefits. The bottom line is that it is a shame that effective treatments for IBS continue to remain elusive.
More on acupuncture for IBS:
Source:
Lembo, A., et.al. “A Treatment Trial of Acupuncture in IBS Patients” American Journal of Gastroenterology 2009 1489-1497.
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Comments
Personally, I have seen significant improvement in many GI and non-GI symptoms of IBS from acupuncture. However, it has taken several months of diligent treatment, not 3 weeks as in the study cited! As with any other intervention for IBS, it probably works for some, and not for others, and there is no way to really tell without trying. Also, it is not a quick fix or cure,it is not inexpensive, and it probably depends greatly on the practitioner’s experience and rapport with the individual.
In my case, I am fortunate to have acupuncturists/OMDs with excellent credentials in both Asia and the US, and experience in the integrative medicine units of 2 major teaching hospitals in a nearby large city practicing very nearby.
I have been there, done that with most known conventional and complementary IBS treatments by now. For me, very few of them work, and this is one that does, and on a global, fairly long term basis. Although some would say my positive outcome is only a placebo effect, if I were susceptible to that sort of response, I think it would have happened more often and more of the huge number of things I have tried would have worked for me.