Individuals with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis suffer from digestive complaints and pain. These conditions decrease the quality of life. But diet and Linwood acupuncture treatment help affected people to feel better from these digestive diseases. It is estimated that about 1 million Americans are affected from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions are characterized by abdominal pain, cramps, bloody stools, intestinal bleeding and diarrhea. For about 2 years, two effective treatments were used –Chinese medicine and acupuncture to treat the conditions.
Chinese medicine looks at the human body as a network of organs and channels that are connected within. The channels transport energy throughout the organs and parts of the body. When there is enough qi in the body, the individual possess good health and wellness. Health is affected and disease conditions may occur only when there is imbalance in this qi. Diet and acupuncture are the two treatment methods that can help the body heal.
The acupuncturist examines the body and pinpoints the imbalance that causes the disease. The tongue and pulse are examined and asks about the symptoms such as frequency, blood and pain in bowel movements. Heat, dampness, stagnation and emptiness are the causes of Crohn’s and colitis disease.
After examining the disease and the cause for it, the patient is given the acupuncture prescription. The aim of this treatment is to promote appetite, reduce inflammation, stop bleeding, diarrhea and pain. A herb called Moxibustion is burned putting it close to the skin to warm the pinpoints of acupuncture. Five to ten acupuncture treatments are given,1 to 2 times, a week.
Modern research studies show the acupuncture treatment as follows:
- It improves disease state, general well being of a person and also improves quality of life.
- It is an effective and standard treatment for Crohn’s disease.
- It has a drawback. The intestinal enzymes become inactive on acupuncture treatment.
Diet is a very important factor according to Traditional Chinese Medicine for improving Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis. The dietary recommendation is as follows:
- Cooked vegetables, moderate amount of proteins and easily digested carbohydrates are to be included in diet.
- Foods that is very hard to digest such as hot spices, nuts and raw vegetables should be avoided. They irritate the intestinal lining. Rather cook the raw vegetables in steamed dishes, stir fries, stews and soups.
- One can take thinly sliced stir fried meats and soups.
- Brown rice is very effective and is easily digestible. It should be cooked in plenty of water and consumed.
- Oatmeal cooked in plenty of water is an ideal breakfast.