Is usually experienced as a collection of symptoms, commonly including chronic abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and altered bowel habits. It affects nearly a quarter of the UK, women are more likely to suffer from symptoms especially during their periods.

Predisposing factors may include a low-fibre diet, emotional stress, use of laxatives or a bout of infectious diarrhoea. The cause of IBS is unclear, but it appears that sensory nerves in the bowel are hypersensitive in people with IBS causing pain, cramping, flatulence, sudden bouts of diarrhea, and/or constipation.

The symptoms are usually triggered by stress or eating. Systematic reviews of the research literature suggest that conventional medications are of limited benefit in IBS (Akehurst 2001).

There is consistent evidence that a course of acupuncture improves IBS symptoms and general wellbeing (Anastasi 2009, Trujillo 2008, Reynolds 2008, Schneider 2007b, Xing 2004, Lu 2000).

Acupuncture can be safely and effectively combined with Western biomedicine, and other treatments such as relaxation exercises, herbal medicine and psychotherapy. I often makes suggestions as to dietary and other lifestyle changes that may be helpful in combating IBS symptoms.

I have had a great deal of success IBS. If you’d like to book you can do so online. Alternatively, you can email or contact me via my contact form.