Acupuncture for Ulcerative Colitis

A chronic form of inflammatory bowel condition, ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the rectum and the lining of the colon (large intestine). Typically, ulcerative colitis starts on the lower area of the colon and in the rectal area. The inflammation can affect the entire colon over the course over time. Initially, the attack is gradual and starts with a heightened urgency to pass stool, pus and blood on the feces, and mild lower stomach cramps. In degrees of severity, this disease may differ from patient to patient.

People of any age, can develop ulcerative colitis (UC) although it usually occurs at the ages of 15 to 30 and even around the ages of 50 to 70 years old. It affects both women and men and sometimes, people with this disease have a family history of it.

UC sufferers are at high risk of developing bowel cancer, particularly if the disease is extensive or severe. A lot of these sufferers have tried acupuncture that proved extremely effective in the relief of their symptoms.

What causes ulcerative colitis?

Western medical science still does not know what exactly causes ulcerative colitis although researchers have found several factors that can trigger this condition. Ulcerative colitis is considered a type of autoimmune condition. Scientists think that the immune system of the body that battles bacterial or viral infection by inflaming the wall of the large intestine. Some scientists argue that no infection actually is involved and the cause of this disease is instead a malfunction of the immune system. One popular theory is that the immune system erroneously attacks the beneficial bacteria inside the large intestine and so attacks the tissues of the colon, causing the inflammation of these tissues.

There is no clear explanation why the immune system acts this way although experts believe that environmental and genetic factors are involved.

It is widely believed that UC is not directly due to food or food product sensitivity or emotional distress, though they can trigger symptoms in certain individuals.

What are the complications and symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

Diarrhea can develop due to the inflammation that causes frequent emptying of the large intestine. The surface of the colon lining begins to develop little open ulcers that can lead to bloody stools. The inflamed lining also causes an inordinate amount of mucus in the large intestine that at times may contain pus.

Common symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis:

-Anemia

-Dehydration

-Fever

-Weight and appetite loss

-Fatigue

-Frequent urge to pass stools

-Bloody diarrhea with mucus

-Stomach pain

When the inflammation is severe and has penetrated into the deeper walls of the large intestine, extreme complications such as perforation of the colon and profuse bleeding from deep ulcers may occur. Osteoporosis, eye inflammation, arthritis, cirrhosis, primary sclerosis cholangitis and other complications can develop when the immune system causes inflammation in other areas of the body.

Ulcerative Colitis – A Traditional Chinese Medicine Viewpoint

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, ulcerative colitis can be the result of an unhealthy diet, external pathogen invasion or by constitutional deficiencies. A poor diet (i.e., cold or raw foods) can damage the abdomen and spleen by blocking the transporting and transforming functions of these organs with regards to nutrients and foods. Diet modification can be complemented by therapies like acupuncture. External pathogen invasion refers to damp-cold or damp-heat. Constitutional deficiencies typically talks about kidney, stomach and spleen deficiencies.

TCM theory states that each patient is a unique individual with a body and mind connected to the environment.

UC can be divided into seven major categories, based on its attributes and seriousness:

-Deficiency of kidney and spleen yang

-Spleen deficiency with accumulation of damp

-Blood and qi stagnation

-Liver overacting on the spleen

-Cold and heat alternate attacks

-Damp-cold impacting the spleen

-Damp-heat in the large intestine

TCM states that spleen deficiency is the most common diagnosis of chronic ulcerative intestinal conditions. TCM practitioners believe that the spleen is mainly responsible for the health of the intestines. Its main function is to transport and transform the essence of food in the body and this includes the removal of waste material. Dampness, a pathogenic condition can accumulate in the body when the body experiences deficiency in Yang or Qi which can then lead to symptoms of colitis like fatigue and diarrhea. The Liver and Kidney and even other organs can play a part in intestinal distress. Lifestyle recommendations, diet as well as TCM therapies such as Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are used to treat these imbalances. When they are correctly applied, these modalities clear dampness, nourish the organs, harmonize blood and Qi and balance Yin and Yang.

Ulcerative Colitis – Treatment Options

Western Medicine considers UC as a chronic inflammation of the large intestine. No particular therapy is available for UC since it is a disease with no known origins. Its treatment therefore is a response to the manifested symptoms and the seriousness of the disease. Drugs that are commonly recommended and provide symptomatic relief include immunosuppressants, corticosteroids and aminosalicylates. The bad news is that extended use of these drugs will not cure the disease and may cause side effects as well. A patient with severe UC may require surgery to excise the problematic colon. Though it can cure UC, surgery will entail lifetime ileostomy.

Western medicine has so far been unable to cure or significantly treat ulcerative colitis and so alternative therapies become a vital option for patients with this condition. Traditional Chinese medicine is a proven complementary therapy to treat this disease.

TCM is not only about acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. It is a varied modality encompassing dietary prescriptions, and other bodywork therapies like Chinese massage or Tui Na. Traditional Chinese medicine originated in China and it is grounded on the belief that disease results from malfunctions or blockages of energy vessels known as meridians in the body.

Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture have been used for millennia to treat digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis and often show outstanding results in the treatment of conditions. This is so because they address not only the symptoms but the root problem of the condition as well.

Acupuncture Health Center
1303 Astor St # 101
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 715-1824
www.bellinghamacupuncturecenter.com