Colom inflammation can be referred to as colitis. This condition has several various different causes, including: IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Crohn’s Disease, food poisoning, and chronic or acute and inflammation and other inflammatory diseases. Colitis symptoms include mucus, stomach bloating, gas, stomach pain, fever, bloody stools, and diarrhea.
For the exacerbation of colitis symptoms, Western conventional medicine would use steroids. Since steroids cannot completely treat colitis, they are merely a temporary solution to mask the symptoms and need to be taken for long periods of time; symptoms shall return if those medications are discontinued. Extended usage of strong corticosteroid drugs can lead to harmful side effects. One patient of mine who had been suffering from Crohn’s Disease for more than 35 years had been taking steroids for as long as he could remember. The medications had actually made the condition worse Instead of alleviating it. He developed heart problems resulting in a heart attack. He also developed osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The colitis prevailed over the steroids, and brought even more problems to the patient.
How Chinese Medicine Treats Colitis
According to Chinese medicine theory, colitis is brought about by a malfunctioning of the spleen and abdominal systems. Therefore, the aim of Chinese medicine is to improve and regulate the abdomen and spleen energy channels (meridians). This plan can stop or at least significantly reduce diarrhea, mucus, and bleeding naturally as well as boost the immune system of the body and improve the body’s capacity to digest nutrients.
TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine has developed a plan of treatment for colitis based on experimentation and medical practice that’s been used for many hundreds of years. TCM practitioners always device a plan of treatment customized specifically for their patient. Hence, these practitioners need to gain a detailed understanding of the patient’s state of health. Various factors can determine how colitis is addressed. After eating fatty foods, or when angered or stressed, some patients may experience diarrhea. Some might develop painful diarrhea accompanied by a cold/hot feeling and a dry mouth. A pulse and tongue diagnosis must be done to determine if the illness is a deficiency of yin or yang. Treatment approaches may vary between patients but the main approach is always the same, and that is to strengthen the functionality of the stomach and spleen systems.
In several clinical studies, it was shown that Chinese medicine is a very good treatment for colitis. This type of medical system may incorporate several therapeutic techniques to produce the desired outcome. Therefore, acupuncture is usually combined with Chinese herbal medicine, and occasionally, also with moxibustion. Acupuncture can activate the circulation of energy within the body and beef up the bodily systems. Certain herbs will address the external symptoms while other herbs will resolve the underlying cause of the problem.
Emily Farish Acupuncture
400 S. Jefferson, Suite 203
Spokane, WA 99204
Phone: 509-217-9262
emilyfarishacupuncture.com