IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is one of a range of conditions known as functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, and is a long-term disorder in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel habit. In IBS, this dysfunction is with the way nerves and muscles are working. Other symptoms may also be present including:

• Abdominal pain between the chest & hips (described as cramping, stabbing or sharp pain)
• Pain or discomfort with bowel movements, changes to frequency
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Diarrhea 
• Nausea
• Sleep difficulties or disturbances
• Associated gynecological disorders
• Chronic pelvic pain

Although there is currently no cure for IBS, there are ways to improve symptoms and feel better. Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to care-assessing the patient's structural, biochemical and emotional state which can help IBS patients look beyond suppression of symptoms toward modulating the main contributing factors.

 

For those patients suffering from IBS, we recommend adopting a proactive approach that combines Chiropractic care, Massage, NeuroEmotional Technique (NET) and the FODMAP diet. For more helpful information, please read on!

 

Mayo Clinic

According to most medical doctors, IBS is a result of a dysfunction in the muscles of your intestines that causes the food to be moved through them either too fast or too slow.  This movement is controlled by your parasympathetic nervous system.  

 

The parasympathetic nerves exit your spine in your low back and go to the intestines.  If there is a problem with that area of your low back, it can affect how the intestinal muscles function. Chiropractic care addresses the dysfunction affecting the parasympathetic nervous system through specific spinal adjustments and unlike the medications, has no side effects.

 

Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to care-assessing the patient's structural, biochemical and emotional state which can help IBS patients look beyond suppression of symptoms toward modulating the main contributing factors.

 

To experience how Chiropractic care can treat your IBS, please contact our office to book your appointment & take advantage of our New Patient $79 Special!

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23427390

Subluxation Awareness

Traditional, relaxation-based Wellness Massage has proven to lessen IBS severity in many people.

Specific massage movements and massage on pressure points can be used to stimulate sluggish digestion in case of constipation, to relax abdominal muscles or to relieve bloating. Massage on acupressure points can also help to stimulate the colon. Some studies have shown that regular abdominal massage reduced gastrointestinal symptoms with regard to constipation and abdominal pain, and resulted in an increased number of bowel movements, although it may take up to two weeks to begin seeing the increase.

Massage also has another function in treating IBS: it's an effective way to relieve and to prevent stress and anxiety. The Touch Research Institute has supported several studies on the efficiency of massage therapy on a variety of health conditions, including stress and anxiety.

Developed by Dr. Sue Shepherd in 1999, the FODMAP diet is accepted and recommended as one of the most effective dietary therapies for IBS.

FODMAP stands for: Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These food building blocks share small chain sugars and fibers that the body may have trouble digesting, and for those with sensitive guts, that could mean excess gas, stomachaches, painful bloating, and ongoing bouts of constipation or diarrhea.

Below is a handy graphic that shows the foods that are suitable for a low-FODMAP diet and those to eliminate:

FODMAP on Yahoo News

Healthline:  IBS Diet Guide Slideshow

• 2 sweet potatoes*
• 1 tsp curry powder
• ½ red pepper, diced
• 1 small zucchini, diced
• A few tablespoons of nutritional yeast (optional)
• Sea salt and black pepper, to season
• Drizzle of olive oil, to finish

Preheat oven to 350F. Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and bake until soft (about 45 minutes). When cool enough to handle, scoop the cooked flesh from the skins leaving about a 1/4"  border round the edges and place into a bowl with the remaining ingredients, except the nutritional yeast. 

 

Mix well, then spoon back into the sweet potato skins and sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Bake for a further 20 minutes until golden. Drizzle with some olive oil to finish and serve with a large green salad. 

 

*Note: The low-FODMAP diet recommends only half a cup of sweet potato per serving. Those on the diet should opt for small sweet potatoes or only eat half a portion at a time.