07/11/2015
Acupuncture and Moxa Relieve IBS
Gulf Chinese Medical Center MUSCAT AL-KHUWIAR 00968-96119663
Open time: Sunday to Thursday 9:00AM-1:00PM; 5:00PM-9:00PM
Saturday 5:00PM-9:00PM
Acupuncture and moxibustion relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of the large intestine often involving abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas. Researchers from the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine conducted a randomized study of patients with IBS using acupuncture and moxibustion as treatment modalities. Zusanli, ST36, was found effective for the treatment of IBS. Patients receiving both acupuncture and moxibustion had a total effective rate of 93.3%.
The study made a comparison of acupuncture plus moxibustion with acupuncture as a standalone procedure and a drug group. All three approaches were applied in three randomized groups of patients with IBS-D, a type of IBS involving diarrhea. The drug group received oral pinaverium bromide, 50 mg, three times per day. Pinaverium bromide is a spasmolytic medication used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders including IBS that acts as a calcium channel blocker. Known side effects of the drug include stomach pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, skin rash, headaches, heartburn, and dry mouth.
Acupuncture plus moxibustion outperformed the other treatment regimens. Acupuncture plus moxibustion achieved a 93.3% total effective rate. Acupuncture as a standalone therapy achieved an 87.9% total effective rate. Pinaverium bromide achieved an 82.1% total effective rate. Acupuncture as a standalone therapy and acupuncture plus moxibustion outperformed the medication group in several areas including superior positive patient outcomes for reductions in stomach bloating and pain, diarrhea, and mucus in the stool.
The acupuncture procedure incorporated the following acupuncture points:
DU20, Baihui
CV12, Zhongwan
ST25, Tianshu
ST36, Zusanli
SP9, Yinlingquan
ST39, Xiajuxu
LV3, Taichong
Acupuncture was applied once per day for four weeks. Total needle retention time was thirty minutes per acupuncture session. DU20 was needled transversely and posteriorly to a depth of 0.5 to 0.8 inches. LV3 was needled to the same depth and angled perpendicularly-obliquely towards KD1 (Yongquan). Acupoints CV12, ST25, ST36, SP9, and ST39 were needled perpendicularly to a depth of 0.8 to 1.3 inches.
Moxibustion was applied using ginger partitioned moxa over acupoints ST25 and CV4 (Guanyuan). Freshly cut ginger (Sheng Jiang) was cut to a thickness of 0.5 cm. The middle part of the ginger was pricked several times with an acupuncture needle. A layer of dry cotton was placed on the skin at the acupuncture point and the ginger was placed on top. The moxa was placed on top of the ginger. The results demonstrate that moxibustion enhances the total efficacy rate of acupuncture for the treatment of IBS. ST25 (Tianshu), CV12 (Zhongwan), and CV4 (Guanyuan) are needled in this picture.
Zhang et al. had similar findings. In a meta-analysis of 11 studies, with a sample size of over 950 patients, the researchers conclude that acupuncture with moxibustion produces better patient outcomes than drug therapy. The researchers conclude, “Acupuncture-moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome is better than the conventional western medication treatment.”
