Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a.k.a. spastic colon or mucus colitis, is a motility disorder involving the small intestine and large bowel associated with variable degrees of abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea, largely as a reaction to stress in susceptible individuals.

The abdominal pain can be triggered by eating and may be relieved after a bowel movement. It may be accompanied by other gastro intestinal complaints, such as bloating, flatulence, nausea, passage of mucus, a feeling of incomplete emptying, or pain in the anus and rectum. Irritable bowel syndrome also has a range of symptoms that are not digestive in nature. Among these are Backpain, headache, fatigue, lassitude, depression, anxiety, and poor concentration.

Although this disorder has always existed, it was not recognized by Western medicine until about 50 years ago and has only become a common diagnosis in the last 20 years.

It is estimated that 20% of all Irish adults experience symptoms of IBS. Even though only half of these get any treatment for said symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome affects three times as many women as men, and, after the common cold, is the next most common cause of missed school and work.

Both initial and subsequent episodes of IBS can be triggered by emotional factors, foods, some medicines, and hormonal imbalances. More often than not someone with IBS will suffer from lower back pain also as a consequence of spasms in the gut, this structural imbalance needs to be addressed also to ease pressure on the gut and it is something that we do here to aid the speed of recovery.

When treating IBS we tend to realign the structure along with diet regulation and acupuncture treatment to address the underlying hormonal imbalance or cositutional weakness that would lead to the development of the syndrome in the first place and give advice on stress.

As lifestyle places a strong role in the development of this condition In terms of lifestyle we are aware of the mind-body connection that plays such a large role in IBS. Therefore, we may recommend some form of stress reduction, counseling, exercise, acupuncture, stress reduction techniques or possibly psychotherapy in conjunction with our treatment in clinic.

By treating the root cause of the stress, structural imbalance, food regulation and constitutional weakness in the organs leading to the symptoms we can effectively create a healthier condition for the body to heal. We see a lot of clients with stress conditions and especially IBS as its so common in today’s hectic lifestyle so if you are continuing to suffer with this condition untreated make a change by contacting us at the clinic today and start the process to being pain free.