Chiropractic and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often suffer from chronic, persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea and must be very cautious about what they ingest. Since there is no cure for IBS, patients strive to manage their symptoms and look for effective treatments to ease their suffering. One such treatment is chiropractic care, often overlooked because it has long been thought of as merely a treatment for back pain.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• IBS is a disorder that effects the large intestine and means, literally, that the patient has irritated bowels. IBS causes a great deal of pain and discomfort but does not permanently damage the large intestine, nor does it cause more serious conditions such as colon damage or cancer. For some people, IBS is mild and can be managed with diet and stress management. For many others, however, the condition is disabling, making it impossible to work or travel even short distances.

Symptoms of IBS

• IBS is characterized by cramping, abdominal pain and bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. Patients who have IBS-related diarrhea often feel an urgent and uncontrollable need to have a bowel movement. Many people alternate between diarrhea and constipation. Also, some people find that their symptoms subside for months, whereas others' IBS worsens over time.

Causes of IBS

• No one knows for certain what causes IBS, but there appears to be a link between sensitivity to food and stress. People with mild celiac disease---a condition in which the patient cannot digest gluten without causing pain and damage to the small intestine---have similar symptoms to people with IBS. There is also a higher incidence of IBS in people suffering from depression. While IBS does not have a definitive cause, it does have certain triggers. These triggers include eating large meals; bloating from gas in the colon; certain medications; wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products or alcohol; drinks with caffeine (such as soda, coffee and tea); and stress, conflict and emotional upset.

Chiropractic Care as an Alternative Treatment to IBS

• There have not been any studies that prove chiropractic treatment helps IBS, but it is becoming an increasingly popular alternative treatment for the disorder. Many chiropractors report that spinal manipulation has helped their patients' IBS symptoms. Chiropractic treatment is known to not only restore balance to the body, but also to reduce stress, which is one of the main culprits of IBS symptoms. Many insurance companies now cover chiropractic treatment, as well.

Why Chiropractic Treatment Seems to Work

• It is believed that manipulating the spine may provide a balancing effect on the nerves associated with the intestinal tract. The spinal cord houses the nerves for the stomach and the entire digestive system. When nerve supply is diminished, it must be restored in order for the body to function properly. Many chiropractors also teach or recommend workshops aimed at helping patients develop healthy habits for "fueling" their bodies and keeping them as balanced and healthy as possible. Chiropractic is also a form of treatment that does not come with side effects, like medications such as antispasmodics do.