Acupuncture & IBS?

[Katymac]

Has anyone tried acupuncture for IBS - did it work?
How long were you treated for?

[Ridingthegravytrain]

I did. It did nothing. But thankfully I didn't pay (mum did as I was still a kid)

[Minime85]

Yes and absolutely yes. Treated my digestion and then associated anxiety but I also cut out trigger foods too. I first went ten years ago and was treated around every 4-6 weeks for a few months and then I improved so went less often. I still go now if I have a flare up but it is not as often. It isn't cheap but it works for me and I'm not interested in people telling me it is a load of rubbish. I know what I could do before compared to now and it's worth that change for sure.

[Katymac]

Thanks - I guess "it depends" is the outcome

[Katymac]

Has anyone else tried it?

[FaithAscending]

I had acupuncture for abdo pain and it really helped.

The best results I've had with IBS is doing the low FODMAP diet. I'm under the dietitian. Essentially they've identified food groups that are likely to cause IBS. You cut it all out and then reintroduce one at a time. Not easy but definitely beneficial.

[Katymac]

I've been FODMAP for over a year now - everything comes back if I eat anything other than meat, potato & root veg

It's very debilitating - the dietician was a bit confused & the consultant useless

[FaithAscending]

Worth trying acupuncture then? Fwiw I went through my local uni, had a student under supervision and only paid £10 a session.

[Minime85]

I found dietician very unhelpful just told me to eat wheat and bran for fibre despite me telling her that if I did that I was doubled over and unable to leave the house. I just don't eat my trigger foods and always have immodium in my handbag wherever I go! I've had reflexology for it too but by far best results acupuncture for long term stability. Not a quick fix takes time and can't just go once and think it will be solved. I've also taken a prebiotic called symprove in the past which worked for about 2 years

[Katymac]

Yes - & I was told I could only be on FODMAP for about 2/3 months then I HAD to reintroduce

But when each introduction caused problems all the advise dried up....

[FaithAscending]

I think the idea with low FODMAP is that you only need to cut everything out for 1-2 months until you can reintroduce things. However there's a possibility you're intolerant to all FODMAPs. It's possible to do long-term low FODMAP and still eat a balanced diet.

[Katymac]

Some of the issue I guess is between the things I don't eat & the things I shouldn't eat & the dietician being unable to accept that I wouldn't suddenly start eating things I didn't like